Two Haynes and Boone, LLP attorneys successfully represented the owner of the Lenox Lounge, the famed jazz club and restaurant in Harlem, New York, in a matter before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB). Founded in 1939, the iconic Lenox Lounge was a popular venue frequented by musicians, artists and other celebrities, and served as a location in various films and television shows.
In 2011, Alvin Reed, owner of the Lenox Lounge, forgot to renew the trademarks for the famous club. At that time, a former employee agreed to file two new Lenox Lounge trademarks applications on Reed’s behalf. Instead, she named herself and Reed as co-owners of the trademarks and attempted to independently license the name and goodwill of the Lenox Lounge.
Reed’s corporate lawyer contacted Haynes and Boone Senior Counsel, Phil Hampton, the former commissioner of trademarks at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Together with Scott Benfield, Haynes and Boone filed the necessary opposition and cancellation proceedings with the TTAB. On April 28, the TTAB confirmed that Reed is the sole owner of the intellectual property for Lenox Lounge, cancelling the issued registration and sustaining the opposition to the pending application.