Federal Circuit Court of Appeals Affirms TTAB Decision in Favor of Popular YOGI TEA Brand

May 14, 2021Press Release

Aaron Moss and Elizabeth Sbardellati of Greenberg Glusker’s Intellectual Property Department, assisted by litigators Ricardo Cestero and Vera Serova, prevailed in the Federal Circuit Court of Appeals on behalf of client the Yogi Bhajan Administrative Trust (YBAT), co-owner of trademark rights in the popular YOGI TEA brand.

The Court affirmed the decision of the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (Board) sustaining our client’s opposition to Bibiji Inderjit Kaur Puri’s (YBAT’s co-owner) intent-to-use application to register the YOGI mark for various bath and beauty products. The Board found that Ms. Puri had a pre-existing interest in the YOGI mark shared with YBAT, and therefore did not have a bona fide intent to use the mark in commerce solely in her individual capacity. Among other things, Ms. Puri was aware at the time of filing that both co-owners had an equal interest in the YOGI mark. The Federal Circuit Court affirmed the Board’s decision in full.