SGR Client The National Grange of the Order of Patrons of Husbandry Receives Favorable Decision from U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, Trademark Trial and Appeal Board

Press Release

July 21, 2023

2023 PR Grange 7.21

ATLANTA (July 21, 2023) – Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP (SGR) is pleased to announce that firm client The National Grange of the Order of Patrons of Husbandry (the Grange or National Grange), America's oldest agricultural fraternal organization, has received a favorable decision from the United States Patent and Trademark Office, Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB) in its recent opposition against a trademark application filed by HerdDogg, Inc., a livestock management company. HerdDogg, Inc.’s application was filed on August 28, 2020 to trademark “The Grange” to cover “computerized on-line retail store services in the field of data collection and tracking devices for livestock.”

In its decision, TTAB sustained the Grange’s opposition finding that the Grange’s “Grange” mark is entitled to protection as an inherently distinctive mark, the mark is virtually identical to HerdDogg, Inc.’s mark, and the goods and services offered by the Grange under the “Grange” mark and the services offered by HerdDogg, Inc. under the its mark are intrinsically related and are all offered to persons in agricultural communities, including those who raise livestock.

This favorable decision is one of several significant decisions made by the TTAB and the Federal Courts that greatly strengthen the ability of the Grange to protect its valuable trademark and tradename, which have been in use in the United States since as early as 1867.

The Grange’s SGR legal team included James Bikoff, partner, in the Washington, D.C. Litigation and Intellectual Property practices, along with Richard Rivera, partner, in the Jacksonville Litigation and Intellectual Property practices, and Danielle Comanducci, counsel, in the New York Corporate and Intellectual Property practices.

About The National Grange of the Order of Patrons of Husbandry
The Grange is a family, community organization with its roots in agriculture. Founded in 1867, the Grange was formed as a national organization with a local focus. Members are given the opportunity to learn and grow to their full potential as citizens and leaders. For more information, visit www.nationalgrange.org.

About Smith Gambrell Russell
SGR is a full-service, international law firm that advises regional, national and global businesses on a wide range of legal matters. The Firm’s nearly 400 attorneys provide legal counsel in more than 50 specialized practice areas, including corporate transactions, litigation, intellectual property, aviation, banking, real estate, insurance/reinsurance, construction, employment law, international, and employee benefits and executive compensation. Founded in 1893, SGR has 14 domestic and international offices, including Atlanta; Austin; Charlotte; Chicago; Jacksonville, FL; London; Los Angeles; Miami; Munich; New York; Southampton; Springfield, IL; Tampa, FL; and Washington, D.C.