UMG Recordings, Inc. v. KG Music Center LLC

At trial before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board of the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office, the Firm prevailed on behalf of client UMG Recordings, Inc. (“UMG”)—owner of the famous IMPULSE jazz label—in its challenge to an attempt to register the mark IMPULSE MUSIC COMPANY for music production services, live musical performance events, and music-related retail store services by KG Music Center, LLC (“KG Music”). KG Music is a California company that operates a brick-and-mortar store and website that provide music lessons, sell musical instruments, and provide a live music venue. In a lengthy decision dated September 26, 2023, the Board confirmed that the IMPULSE label is “a historically significant record label” and that UMG’s IMPULSE logo trademark is “iconic” and “well-known” and that KG Music’s use and registration of IMPULSE MUSIC COMPANY for its music-related goods and services would likely cause confusion in the marketplace.