Protecting radio call letters and slogans as trademarks

Abstract

In 1983 the FCC ended its supervision of call letter disputes, and two years later the Patent and Trademark Office gave broadcasters the right to protect their call letters. Since then, several radio stations have gone to court, claiming trademark infringement by competing stations on call letters, slogans, and dial positions. Whether stations prevail depends on such factors as type of mark, content of the call sign or slogan, audience recognition of competing calls or slogans, similarity of audience and format, and extent to which similar call signs or slogans may confuse the public.