Mrs. Colorado America won a federal trademark infringement lawsuit against Mrs. Colorado United States last Wednesday.
U.S. District Judge Marcia S. Krieger ruled that Mrs. Colorado United States cannot use the title “Mrs. Colorado” alone without “United States” on the end while in Colorado because it infringes the trademark held by the operators of Mrs. Colorado America. Mrs. Colorado United States must also change her sash so that it clearly contains her entire title.
Luckily however, in national pageants – such as Mrs. America and Mrs. United States – the infringement of “Mrs. Colorado” does not occur because the public is able to discern which pageant the contestant is competing in.
This fascinating story was reported in the Denver Post. See: http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_7399226
