A Bull-ish Trademark Conflict Is Brewing.

Red Bull is opposing the trademark application of  Old Ox Brewery,

The opposition filed with the US Patent and Trademark Office claims Old Ox confusingly similar the the famous energy drink. Red Bull is arguing that “an ‘ox’ and a ‘bull’ both fall within the same class of ‘bovine’ animals and are virtually indistinguishable to most consumers.”

Red Bull has made some demands, such as that Old Ox not produce any soft drinks, like root beer.

Apparently, Red Bull’s biggest problem is the supposed ox-bull confusion, claiming that an ox is just a bull that’s been castrated.

“Apparently Red Bull has little faith in the ability of consumers to distinguish between various classes of bovine animals,” writes Tim Sitzmann, a trademark attorney at the Minnesota law firm Winthrop & Weinstine. “That would include cows, bulls, oxen, yaks, bison, buffalo, steer, longhorns, and apparently antelopes.”

As with other oppositions of this sort, it doesn’t appear to have a little too much bull to stand close scrutiny.

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If you, or someone you know, need help with any Intellectual Property issue, from filing a patent, trademark or copyright, or just advice regarding how best to protect your ideas and your brand, please contact me for a free 30 minute consultation at or call (213) 785-8070 and ask for Norman.

– Ex astris, scientia –

I am and avid amateur astronomer and intellectual property attorney in Pasadena, California and I am a Rising Star as rated by Super Lawyers Magazine.  As a former Chief Petty Officer in the U.S. Navy, I am a proud member of the Armed Service Committee of the Los Angeles County Bar Association working to aid all active duty and veterans in our communities. Connect with me on Google +

Norman