The operators of the premium domain Wines.com have applied for the registration of the matching mark, WINES.COM, at the USPTO.
Another application for the stylized variant of the mark has also been filed. Both applications list expert IP attorney John Berryhill.
Here are the products and services the mark was applied for:
- Online retail sales featuring wine; Advertising wines produced by others.
- Online publication of articles relating to wine.
- Providing an online forum for discussion among users of topics relating to wine.
- Online publication of articles relating to wine.
The first two entries refer to a date of first use in commerce the year 1998, while the latter two cite 2016 as the year of first use of the mark.
An interesting point: A year ago, Wine.com also applied for the registration of the matching mark, WINE.COM.
That application hit a roadblock and is still pending.
Why was WINES.COM applied for as a trademark at the USPTO?
It’s an ongoing trend among owners of generic domain names, following the decision by SCOTUS on the Booking.com trademark application.
Since then, dozens of generic domain names have been applied to be registered as trademarks, inclusive of the TLD. We keep track of these applications, and so far none has been decided upon.
As of January 5th, 2021, BOOKING.COM is a registered trademark with the USPTO.
Will these applications become the new norm? Watch this video from NamesCon Online 2020.
