Trademark Cases Drop as Pandemic Fuels Uncertainties

The rate of trademark lawsuits filed in federal courts fell in the first five months of 2020, as brand-owners grapple with the effects of the coronavirus pandemic.

Trademark suits are down 22% year-over-year, Bloomberg Law data shows. Fewer anti-counterfeiting cases against online vendors largely drove the downturn.

Trademark owners have been less aggressive in pursuing counterfeiting cases as they face court disruptions and business uncertainties, including their own financial struggles, after the pandemic shut down much of the U.S. economy, attorneys say.

The drop-off in lawsuits may not be a lasting trend. Attorneys say there has been an increase of ...