Indeed, I hear that “Circling” may itself become legally protected to refer to a specific style (probably the Circling Institute’s), rather than the umbrella term for related styles, in a way that will further complicate things if that happens.
It seems like there was a trademark application filed last months by the Circling Institute. I think it’s unlikely that the trademark will be granted given that the term gets used by a variety of different people.
Filing a trademark application in this way is a way to get the government to create a binding ruling that a term is not owned by anyone in a relatively cheap way.
That’s a reason to get a government to publish a document that says: “We found that Circling is a general term used by multiple organizations and can’t be trademarked because it’s a general term”.
Afterwards if someone tries to hassle you, you can point them to the official government document that says that it’s fine to use Circling however you want.
Indeed, I hear that “Circling” may itself become legally protected to refer to a specific style (probably the Circling Institute’s), rather than the umbrella term for related styles, in a way that will further complicate things if that happens.
It seems like there was a trademark application filed last months by the Circling Institute. I think it’s unlikely that the trademark will be granted given that the term gets used by a variety of different people.
Filing a trademark application in this way is a way to get the government to create a binding ruling that a term is not owned by anyone in a relatively cheap way.
I’d also note there’s a difference between legal enforcement and ‘expectation of getting hassled’ especially with scrupulous people.
That’s a reason to get a government to publish a document that says: “We found that Circling is a general term used by multiple organizations and can’t be trademarked because it’s a general term”.
Afterwards if someone tries to hassle you, you can point them to the official government document that says that it’s fine to use Circling however you want.