‘Trump Too Small’ Trademark Hits Resistance at Supreme Court (1)

US Supreme Court justices suggested they will rule against a man who says he has a First Amendment right to seek federal trademark protection for the mocking phrase “Trump too small.”

Hearing arguments in Washington Wednesday, the court voiced skepticism toward Steve Elster’s contention that the US government violated his constitutional rights when it refused to let him place the phrase on a federal trademark registry. Elster says he wants to use “Trump too small” on T-shirts.

Federal registration gives trademark owners protections on top of those they already have under state law. Registration can confer exclusive rights in locations ...