Innovation, Inspired Not Confusing in Brewery Trademark Fight

Bell’s Brewery Inc.'s lost Dec. 20 a challenge of another beer maker’s trademark registration for “Innovation Brewing.”

The Trademark Trial and Appeal Board, part of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office that hears disputes, held that the new mark doesn’t create a likelihood of confusion with Bell’s prior registration for “Inspired Brewing.” “Inspired” indicates something about the taste of the beer while “innovation” connotes the method of making beer, it said.

The TTAB found that seven of the eight factors for likelihood of confusion under In re E. I. du Pont de Nemours & Co. weighed in Bell’s favor or ...