Translating a word incorrectly can put a trademark registration at risk. Aachi Spices & Foods brought a proceeding before the TTAB to cancel Kalidos Raju’s trademark registration for “Aachi” for various food products. Aachi alleged that Raju’s registered trademark interfered with its prior rights in a mark using the same word. Raju defended the proceeding by claiming that Aachi Spices & Foods was guilty of “unclean hands”. “Unclean hands” is an equitable doctrine that prevents a party from relying on its registration if it made a false statement during the trademark application process. According to Raju, Aachi Spices & Foods translated the word “Aachi”, to mean ‘distinguished lady’. Raju said that the word really means ‘grandmother’. The TTAB found evidence that the word is translated in different ways including both of the proposed translations. Aachi Spices & Foods’ petition to cancel Raju’s registration was granted.

WHY YOU SHOULD KNOW THIS. When applying to register a trademark, an applicant has to attest that all of the information given on the application is true and correct. If it isn’t, any future registration could be cancelled. When using a foreign word in trademark, the translation is important because an examining attorney will research prior uses of the English translation of the word to determine if there’s a likelihood of confusion with prior pending applications and registrations. In this case, both the petitioner and the respondent had different translations for a foreign word. The TTAB found that neither of the proposed translations would be understood by those speaking the language. That will not always be the case. So, for anyone seeking to register a trademark that includes a foreign word, it’s better to include all possible translations of a foreign word in a trademark application.

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