With his three collections, and television and magazine appearances, Kors has become a household name.  But has he protected his trademarks?

A search of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office Website Database yields 16 live “hits” including:
 

• MK MICHAEL KORS Registration No. 3,438,412 for use on “eyeglass frames, eyeglasses, sunglasses, eyeglass cases, eye shades, protective eye wear and eye wear for sports” in Class 9; “handbags” in Class 18; and “men's and women's clothing, namely, dresses, skirts, blouses, pants, jackets, blazers, coats, raincoats, capes, ponchos, scarves, hats, gloves, sweaters, belts, hosiery, bathing suits, halter tops, socks, jeans, warm up suits, sweatshirts, sweatpants, leggings, shorts, slacks, sport coats, sport shirts, suits, T-shirts, tuxedos, vests, ties; undergarments for men and women, namely, boxer shorts, bras, bustiers, camisoles, nightgowns, nightshirts, pajamas, panties, undershirts, underwear; footwear and headwear; belts” in Class 25.
• MICHAEL KORS Registration No. 3,160,981 for use on “watches” in Class 14.
• MK MICHAEL KORS Application Serial No. 78/278,276 for use on “Jewelry, including jewelry made of precious and non-precious metals; watches, timepieces, namely, clocks” in Class 14; and “Tablecloths, textile napkins and placemats; bed covers, bedding, namely, sheets, pillow cases, duvet covers, bedspreads, comforters, shams, blankets; towels and wash cloths” in Class 24.
• MICHAEL MICHAEL KORS Registration No. 3,080,631 for use on “eyeglass frames, eyeglasses, sunglasses, eyeglass cases, eye shades, protective eye wear and eye wear for sports” in Class 9; “carrying cases, namely, attaché cases; bags, namely, tote bags; luggage; suitcases; umbrellas; handbags; purses; wallets” in Class 18; and “men's and women's clothing, namely, dresses, skirts, blouses, pants, jackets, blazers, coats, raincoats, capes, ponchos, scarves, hats, gloves, sweaters, belts, hosiery, bathing suits, halter tops, socks, jeans, warm up suits, sweatshirts, sweatpants, leggings, shorts, slacks, sport coats, sport shirts, suits, t-shirts, tuxedos, vests, ties; undergarments for men and women, namely, boxer shorts, bras, bustiers, camisoles, nightgowns, nightshirts, pajamas, panties, undershirts, underwear; footwear and headwear; belts” in Class 25.
• MICHAEL KORS ISLAND Registration No. 3,146,355 for use on “fragrance products, namely perfume, cologne, eau de parfum, solid perfume, essential oils for personal use, eau de toilette, body powder; non-medicated skin care preparations; bath products namely, bath oil, bubble bath, bath powder, bath salts, shower gels and lotions; soap for personal use; self-tanning compositions namely, tinted lotions and gels; after sun care compositions namely, moisturizers, lotions and gels; skin cleansing creams, lotions and gels; hand lotions, creams and gels; skin moisturizing lotions, creams and gels” in Class 3.
• MICHAEL KORS Registration No. 3,319,381 for use on “bed covers, bedding, namely, sheets, pillow cases, duvet covers, bedspreads, comforters, shams, blankets” in Class 24.
• VERY MICHAEL KORS Application Serial No. 77/186,026 for use on “fragrances for personal use; non-medicated skin care preparations; cosmetics” in Class 3.
• MICHAEL KORS VERY PRETTY Application Serial No. 77/345,394 for use on “fragrances for personal use; non-medicated skin care preparations” in Class 3.
• KORS MICHAEL KORS Registration No. 2,824,657 for use on “men’s and women’s clothing, namely, bandannas, bathing suits, belts, blazers, blouses, bodysuits, capes, caps, cardigans, chemises, coats, culottes, ear muffs, gloves, halter tops, hats, headbands, hosiery, jackets, jeans, jogging suits, jumpers, jumpsuits, kerchiefs, kimonos, leggings, leotards, loungewear, mittens, mufflers, neckerchiefs, neckties, neckwear, overalls, pants, pantsuits, pantyhose, parkas, pedal pushers, playsuits, ponchos, pullovers, raincoats, scarves, shawls, shirts, snowsuits, sport coats, sport shirts, stockings, stoles, suits, sweat pants, sweat shirts, sweaters, t-shirts, trousers, tuxedos, vests and warm-up suits; footwear for men and women, namely, athletic shoes, boots, clogs, galoshes, moccasins, overshoes, sandals, sport shoes, dress shoes and sneakers; and undergarments for men and women, namely, boxer shorts, brassieres, bustiers, camisoles, corselets, garter belts, girdles, negligees, nightgowns, nightshirts, pajamas, panties, peignoirs, undershorts and undershirts” in Class 25.
• MICHAEL KORS Registration No. 2,547,039 for use with “retail store services in the fields of clothing, jewelry and clothing accessories” in Class 35.
• MICHAEL KORS Registration No. 2,708,259 for use on “cosmetics, namely, aftershave lotion, antiperspirant, artificial eyelashes, artificial fingernails, bath powder, bath salt, beauty mask, blusher, body lotion, body oil, body powder, bubble bath, cold cream, cologne, cotton swabs for cosmetic purposes, cuticle removing preparation, dentifrice, electric pre-shave lotion, emery boards, eye makeup, eye makeup remover, facial makeup, facial scrub, hand lotion, hand soap, lip gloss, lipstick, mouthwash, nail hardener, nail polish, nail polish remover, nail polish top coat, nail strengthener, night cream, perfume, personal deodorant, rouge, shave cream, shower gel, skin cleaning cream, skin emollient, skin moisturizer, skin toner, suntan lotion, talcum powder, toilet soap, toilet water, and toothpaste; hair care products, namely, hair conditioner, hair dressing for men, hair dye, hair rinse, hair shampoo, and hair spray” in Class 3.
• KORS MICHAEL KORS Registration No. 2,810,931 for use on “fragrance products, namely, perfumes, eau de parfum, solid perfume, colognes, eau de cologne, eau de toilette, after shave lotion, scented aromatherapy oils, creams and powders; bath products, namely, bath oil, bubble bath, bath powder, flakes and salts, and shower gel and lotions, body powder and talcum powder, bronzing powder, suntan lotions and creams, skin toner, self-tanning compositions, after sun care compositions, skin cleaning cream, skin moisturizer and hand lotions; facial products, namely, eye makeup and remover, facial makeup, beauty mask, blush and rouge, lipstick and lip gloss; nail products, namely, nail polish and remover, nail hardener, cuticle removing compositions; hair care products, namely, shampoo, conditioner, spray, mousse, rinses and dyes; antiperspirants and deodorants, exfoliators for face and body; preshave lotion; dentifrice, tooth paste; and mouthwash” in Class 3.
• MICHAEL KORS Registration No. 2,520,758 for use on “eyeglasses, eyeglass cases” in Class 9.
• MICHAEL KORS Registration No. 2,520,757 for use on “handbags, billfolds, credit card cases, suitcases, back packs, key cases, knap sacks, tote bags” in Class 18.
• MICHAEL KORS Registration No. 2,049,326 for use on “clothing for use by women; namely, anoraks; ascots; babushkas; bandanas; bathrobes; belts; blazers; blousons; bodysuits; boleros; boots; caftans; camisoles; capes; caps; cardigans; chemises; clogs; fur coats; suit coats; culottes; earmuffs; gloves; nightgowns; halter tops; hats; headbands; hosiery; jeans; jogging suits; jumpers; jumpsuits; kerchiefs; kimonos; leggings; loungewear; mittens; moccasins; mufflers; neckerchiefs; neckties; neckwear; nightshirts; pajamas; pantsuits; parkas; pedal pushers; pinafores; ponchos; pullovers; raincoats; sandals; scarves; shawls; shorts; undershirts; athletic shoes; gym shorts; sweat shorts; ski suits; slacks; snowsuits; socks; sport coats; sport shirts; stockings; stoles; suits; suspenders; sweat pants; sweat shirts; T-shirts; trousers; vests; vested suits; and warm-up suits; and, clothing for use by men; namely, anoraks; ascots; bandanas; belts; blazers; capes;cardigans; clogs; fur coats; suit coats;  gloves; hats; jeans; jogging suits; kerchiefs; mufflers; neckerchiefs; neckties; neckwear; parkas; pocket squares; ponchos; pullovers; raincoats; scarves; shorts; undershirts; [athletic shoes;] gym shorts; sweat shorts; ski suits; slacks; sport coats; sport shirts; suits; suspenders; sweat pants; sweat shirts; T-shirts; trousers; tuxedos; vests; vested suits” in Class 25.
• MICHAEL KORS Registration No. 1,977,507 for use on “ladies' clothing; namely, dresses, jackets, pants, skirts, shirts, blouses, shorts, sweaters, coats, swimwear” in Class 25.

The earliest trademark has a filing date of December 3, 1990 which indicates that Kors knew early to file trademark applications to protect his name as a designer.  The plethora of additional filings show that trademarks applications are always in style!

Aimee Kaplan, the trademark lawyer dedicated to designers protecting their celebrity brands

Copyright 2008 Aimee Kaplan