A Single Word Difference in a Trademark May Not Save a Likelihood of Confusion Finding

Can adding a single word to a trademark save it from a likelihood of confusion finding? According to a recent Federal Circuit decision, the answer is no—at least when the marks share the same core meaning and cover identical goods. On July 1, the Federal Circuit affirmed the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board’s refusal to register Marini’s four MON AMI marks for edible pet treats.