NOTUS rebrand – A federal judge put NOTUS’ planned rebrand as “the Star” on pause after The Washington Star won a temporary restraining order tied to its trademark complaint.
NOTUS’ plan to rebrand as the Star hit a sudden wall on Tuesday—after a federal judge stepped in to stop the change just as it was moving toward launch.
A temporary restraining order was granted in response to The Washington Star’s trademark infringement complaint, setting the rebrand’s fate to be argued at a July 22 hearing. Until then, NOTUS cannot launch or advertise its rebrand to the Star.
In new court documents, Judge Rossie D. Alston Jr. granted the TRO that would block the rebrand until the court considers a preliminary injunction at that July 22 session.
The dispute traces back to The Washington Star’s claim that NOTUS infringed its trademark over the announced name change. The judge concluded The Washington Star is likely to succeed, pointing to the fact that the outlet owns the federally registered moniker and has used it since 2023.
Judge Alston also found that the rebrand could lead to consumer confusion. In doing so, the decision cited posts from news outlets and social media describing the name change as a revival of the Washington Star paper.
The order doesn’t just rest on marketing optics—it also takes aim at how the parties handled the trademark itself. Judge Alston wrote. “Although not a critical consideration here. Plaintiff has also provided evidence that Defendant had actual knowledge of Plaintiff’s rights in the Mark—specifically. the email communications regarding the attempt to purchase the Mark earlier this year—and then chose to use a mark with substantial similarity to the Mark that it had failed to purchase.”.
For The Washington Star, the ruling landed as confirmation of its broader goal. Publisher Dovid Efune said in a statement shared with the Washington Post. “This ruling reinforces our focus on what matters most: reviving a legendary American institution and returning a much-needed voice in our nation’s capital.”.
NOTUS has signaled resistance to the complaint before. A spokesperson for NOTUS previously pushed back in a statement to media. saying. “The entity does not and cannot own the word ‘Star. ’ which has been used by and associated with dozens of media publications for over 100 years … The entity itself only even claims to have recently adopted ‘The Washington Star. ’ decades after numerous other ‘Star’ publications have been using ‘Star’ marks.”.
On Tuesday, however, the TRO leaves NOTUS in limbo. A representative for NOTUS did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The court will now return to the case on July 22, when it will decide whether the temporary pause becomes longer-term through a preliminary injunction.
NOTUS The Washington Star trademark infringement temporary restraining order federal judge Rossie D. Alston Jr. rebrand media outlets
So they can’t call themselves The Star now? Sounds like paperwork drama.
I swear I saw something about this earlier like months ago. How can a “word” be owned? Isn’t Star just… a star lol. Sounds like they’re just trying to revive it but the judge said no.
Wait so NOTUS tried to use the name “Star” and got blocked because another paper has the trademark? That’s crazy because the Star is like everywhere. Also the article says emails about trying to purchase the mark earlier this year… like?? did they almost buy it and then didn’t, so now they’re stuck? Makes sense I guess but also feels like overreach.
July 22 hearing… so until then they can’t advertise it. That’s wild timing. I don’t even live in DC but every time I hear “reviving a legendary American institution” it makes me roll my eyes. “Consumer confusion” is such a vague thing though, like people confuse headlines all the time. Also NOTUS saying the entity can’t own the word Star… I don’t know, seems like both sides are acting dramatic.