Section 2(a), a Happy-Talk Clause, Really?

We can be certain of one thing for sure, the Supreme Court’s decision today, striking down the disparagement clause of Section 2(a) of the Lanham Act will be analyzed for some time.

The Court called the provision of the Lanham Act barring the federal registration of trademarks that consist of or comprise matter that may disparage persons, a “happy-talk clause,” concluding it violates the First Amendment.

The debate over the implications of the Tam decision has commenced, so stay tuned.

Those of you who know me well can appreciate, this is a tough pill to swallow, we’ll have to see what good can come from it.

And, the answer to a question I raised back in 2015 apparently will be answered “no,” but not for reasons I had hoped.

Ron, I had envisioned writing a very different post about the Supreme Court’s long-anticipated decision in Tam, you, your team, and Mr. Tam have made history.

By the way, anyone know who coined the phrase Happy-Talk Clause, I must have missed that in the briefing?

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