Who Owns the Juneteenth Trademark?
Juneteenth, a significant milestone in American history, commemorates the emancipation of enslaved African Americans in the United States. As this vital celebration gains widespread recognition and cultural significance, the question arises: Who owns the Juneteenth trademark?
In this article, we delve into the complexities surrounding the ownership of this symbolically powerful term and explore the various perspectives and legal considerations involved. In sum, the term has several pending applications and registrations by various owners in various classes listed below.
The Historical Roots of Juneteenth
To fully understand the significance of the Juneteenth trademark, it is crucial to recognize the historical origins of this commemoration.
On June 19, 1865, Union Army General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, and proclaimed the end of slavery, over two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed.
Juneteenth has since become a symbol of freedom, resilience, and the ongoing fight for equality and justice for African Americans.
The Emergence of the Juneteenth Trademark
In recent years, Juneteenth has gained considerable prominence as a holiday celebrated across the United States.
As with any cultural phenomenon, there has been an increased interest in commercializing the term.
This led to the emergence of the Juneteenth trademark, as individuals and organizations sought to protect and capitalize on the rights associated with its usage.
Ownership Claims and Controversies
The ownership of the Juneteenth trademark is a matter of contention and controversy. While it is widely acknowledged that the term itself cannot be owned or copyrighted due to its historical and cultural significance, some entities have attempted to register trademarks related to Juneteenth for specific products or services.
All registration applications with “Juneteenth” are listed below.
These attempts have sparked debate and raised questions about the appropriateness of seeking exclusive rights over a symbol of liberation. Here are a few examples of controversies surrounding the Juneteenth trademark:
Juneteenth ice cream from Walmart: The release of Walmart’s Juneteenth-themed ice cream, featuring a flavor developed by New York-based company Balchem, sparked outrage among Black Twitter users in 2022. Many individuals on social media expressed anger upon noticing the presence of a trademark symbol for Juneteenth on the product’s label, accusing both companies of attempting to capitalize on Black culture.
Alleged trademark squatting: Individuals or entities have attempted to register various trademarks related to Juneteenth without a legitimate connection or purpose. Such actions are often seen as trademark squatting, where individuals or organizations try to profit from or control a term without any genuine claim or association. This type of activity has faced criticism for exploiting the historical importance of Juneteenth for personal gain.
Legal Considerations and Community Response
From a legal standpoint, the ownership of the Juneteenth trademark is complex. The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has historically been cautious when granting trademarks for terms associated with historical events or cultural celebrations.
The USPTO has generally considered such terms part of the public domain and resistant to exclusive ownership.
Despite this, there have been instances where trademarks related to Juneteenth have been approved, leading to widespread backlash and calls for reevaluation.
As a response, some individuals and organizations have actively opposed these trademark registrations, highlighting the importance of preserving Juneteenth as a shared cultural heritage and preventing its commodification.
Community Efforts To Preserve Juneteenth
In response to the challenges surrounding the ownership of the Juneteenth trademark, various community efforts have emerged to preserve and protect the cultural significance of this commemoration.
Grassroots movements: Grassroots organizations and activists have played a significant role in raising awareness and advocating for the non-commercialization of Juneteenth. Through social media campaigns, petitions, and community events, these grassroots movements have mobilized individuals to recognize and respect Juneteenth’s historical and cultural importance.
Educational initiatives: Institutions and community organizations have taken proactive measures to educate the public about Juneteenth’s historical significance. They organize workshops, seminars, and exhibitions to provide accurate information and foster a deeper understanding of the emancipation of enslaved African Americans and the ongoing struggle for racial justice.
Collaborative celebrations: Many communities have adopted a collective approach to celebrating Juneteenth, emphasizing unity and inclusivity. Collaborative celebrations involve partnerships between different organizations, businesses, and community members, ensuring that the commemoration remains a combined effort rather than a commercialized endeavor.
Non-profit organizations: Non-profit organizations dedicated to preserving African-American history and culture have actively engaged in initiatives to protect Juneteenth’s legacy. They work towards raising awareness, conducting research, and advocating for policies that prevent Juneteenth’s exclusive ownership and commercialization.
These community efforts are crucial in ensuring that Juneteenth remains a symbol of freedom, empowerment, and historical remembrance. By fostering a sense of collective responsibility and promoting respectful engagement, these initiatives contribute to preserving Juneteenth’s cultural heritage.
Final Thoughts
The question of who owns the Juneteenth trademark raises complex issues related to historical significance, cultural heritage, and intellectual property rights.
While legal frameworks exist, there is an increasing recognition that symbols of historical events should be safeguarded from exclusive ownership and commercial exploitation.
Community efforts, grassroots movements, and educational initiatives have played a vital role in preserving Juneteenth’s cultural significance and promoting responsible engagement with this commemoration.
Promoting discourse and engaging in responsible practices surrounding Juneteenth is crucial as we move forward. Respectful usage of the term, without seeking exclusive ownership, fosters inclusivity and acknowledges the cultural significance it holds for African-Americans and the broader community.
By embracing the historical roots of Juneteenth and working collectively toward a more equitable future, we honor the legacy of the emancipation of enslaved African-Americans and strive for a society that upholds freedom, justice, and equality for all.
Join the Conversation
Juneteenth represents an opportunity for dialogue, education, and progress. Engage in online and offline conversations within your community to deepen your understanding of this historical event and its significance.
Let us come together to celebrate Juneteenth in a spirit of unity, empathy, and respect.
I’d be happy to help if you want to know more about your trademark legal rights! Reach out to me anytime at https://www.mdgrlaw.com/book-online or (754) 800-4481. I am located in Florida, but I can help anyone around the world with U.S. trademarks.
Juneteenth Trademark Applications
98016641
JUNETEENTH QUEEN COURT SCHOLARSHIP PAGEANT
97933325
WE CELEBRATE JUNE FOR JUNETEENTH
97421347
JUNETEENTH NYC EDUCATING · EMPOWERING · ENTERTAINING
97057116
JUNETEENTH LP
97137845
JUNETEENTH MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT
97411697
MISS JUNETEENTH SCHOLARSHIP PAGEANTRY PROGRAM
97876409
JUNETEENTH STEPPERS STEPPIN EVENT
97808978
JUNETEENTH
97796373
ABC'S OF JUNETEENTH
97726924
JUNETEENTH GALVESTON EST. 1865 WHERE IT ALL BEGAN
97458059
BLACK MOMMA JUNETEENTH
97623766
JUNETEENTH JERSEYS
97565017
MISTER JUNETEENTH
97317754
ONE JUNETEENTH
97551526
JUNETEENTH
97521142
TRI-CITIES JUNETEENTH
97461247
JUNETEENTH MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT
97442001
JUNETEENTH
97431709
JUNETEENTH
97428910
JUNETEENTH PEACE WALK
97425202
JUNETEENTH
97008500
JUNETEENTH
97083670
JUNETEENTH FESTIVAL
97286328
- JUNETEENTH LEGACY MOSAIC JUNE 19 1865 - JUNETEENTH BECOMES A FEDERAL HOLIDAY JUNE 17 2021 OFFICIALLY CALLED JUNETEENTH NATIONAL INDEPENDENCE DAY "WHAT HISTORY BOOKS FORGOT WE WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER!" EMANCIPATION DAY JUNE 19 1865 TEXAS SLAVES RECEIVE WORD THAT THEY ARE FREE GENERAL ORDER # 3 READS IN PERTINENT PART: "PROCLAMATION FROM THE EXECUTIVE OF THE UNITED STATES. ALL SLAVES ARE FREE." BLACK INDEPENDENCE DAY THE NAME " JUNETEENTH" IS A BLEND OF THE MONTH OF "JUNE" AND THE DATE " NINETEENTH." GALVESTON TEXAS BIRTHPLACE OF JUNETEENTH ON JUNE 19 1865 TEXAS FIRST STATE TO RECOGNIZE JUNETEENTH JANUARY 1 1980 JUNETEENTH FIRST CELEBRATED ON JUNE 19 1866 JUBILEE DAY IN 1872 LAND BOUGHT IN HOUSTON TEXAS TO CELEBRATE JUNETEENTH NAMED EMANCIPATION PARK FAMILIES CELEBRATED! CHURCHES CELEBRATED! FREEDOM DAY
97286325
- JUNETEENTH LEGACY MOSAIC JUNE 19 1865 - JUNETEENTH BECOMES A FEDERAL HOLIDAY JUNE 17 2021 OFFICIALLY CALLED JUNETEENTH NATIONAL INDEPENDENCE DAY "WHAT HISTORY BOOKS FORGOT WE WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER!" EMANCIPATION DAY JUNE 19 1865 TEXAS SLAVES RECEIVE WORD THAT THEY ARE FREE GENERAL ORDER No.3 READS IN PERTINENT PART: "PROCLAMATION FROM THE EXECUTIVE OF THE UNITED STATES. ALL SLAVES ARE FREE." BLACK INDEPENDENCE DAY THE NAME " JUNETEENTH" IS A BLEND OF THE MONTH OF "JUNE" AND THE DATE " NINETEENTH." GALVESTON TEXAS BIRTHPLACE OF JUNETEENTH ON JUNE 19 1865 TEXAS FIRST STATE TO RECOGNIZE JUNETEENTH JANUARY 1 1980 JUNETEENTH FIRST CELEBRATED ON JUNE 19 1866 JUBILEE DAY IN 1872 LAND BOUGHT IN HOUSTON TEXAS TO CELEBRATE JUNETEENTH NAMED EMANCIPATION PARK FAMILIES CELEBRATED! CHURCHES CELEBRATED! FREEDOM DAY
97292677
JUNETEENTH JOY
97292576
JUNETEENTH JOY
97286330
JUNETEENTH LEGACY MOSAIC JUNE 19 1865
90782135
JUNETEENTH JOY
90575981
JUNIOR MISS JUNETEENTH
90575971
TEEN MISS JUNETEENTH
90055085
JUNETEENTH IN JULY
90663747
JUNETEENTH UNITYFEST
90782179
JUNETEENTH JOY
90712155
JUNETEENTH EVERYDAY
90889733
THE LONG BEACH JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION
90904678
JUNETEENTH
90768173
THE JUNETEENTH MARATHON
90788125
MISS JUNETEENTH OF GEORGIA
90755747
INDY JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION
90716583
JUNETEENTH
90716578
HAPPY JUNETEENTH
90785356
JUNE(TEA)NTH
90120550
JUNETEENTHRAP
90053188
JUNETEENTH: MARCH ON SENECA
90139642
JUNETEENTH365
90277638
JUNETEENTH FREEDOM FESTIVAL
90121802
JULY FORTH CELEBRATES OUR COUNTRIES FREEDOM. JUNETEENTH CELEBRATES OUR PEOPLE'S FREEDOM.
90030802
CINCINNATI JUNETEENTH
90010519
JUNETEENTH 1865
88885232
'FREE ·ISH JUNETEENTH
88915740
JUNETEENTH 1865
88520235
JUNETEENTH APPAREL
88662154
61 49 THE CROSSROADS CLARKSDALE JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION JUNE 19 2020
86784892
FINANCIAL JUNETEENTH
86410560
BIG POPPA JUNETEENTH
86769778
JUNETEENTH STRAWBERRY SODA
78332331
JUNETEENTH WORLD WIDE CELEBRATION
78315535
JUNETEENTH IN HONOR OF OUR ANCESTORS 1619-1865...DESPITE ALL WE STILL STAND STRONG.
78099510
JUNETEENTH WORLDWIDE CELEBRATION
78056504
JUNETEENTH MAGAZINE
78049622
JUNETEENTH
76153287
JUNETEENTH
75929164
JUNETEENTH JAMBALAYA
75863355
JUNETEENTH FESTIVAL
75640913
3RD ANNUAL JUNETEENTH FESTIVAL OF NEW WORKS: A CULTURAL CELEBRATION OF EMANCIPATION!
75346413
THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF JUNETEENTH LINEAGE
74680087
ANNUAL JUNETEENTH BLUES FESTIVAL
74570623
JUNETEENTH AUDIO BOOKS
Legal Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for general informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. For specific legal concerns or questions regarding trademarks, it is advisable to consult with a qualified attorney.
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