SEARCH

Laurel Road Bank v. CommonBond Inc.

Bank's Trade Dress Likely Generic, Not Shown Distinctive, Thus Is Unprotected

Thank you for sharing!

Your article was successfully shared with the contacts you provided.

OPINION AND ORDER Laurel Road Bank brings this action against CommonBond, Inc., alleging that CommonBond infringed its trade dress embodied in an advertising campaign for student loan services. On August 28, 2018, the Court entered a temporary restraining order preventing CommonBond from displaying any new advertisements using the trade dress. On September 14, 2018, following additional briefing and a hearing on Laurel Road’s motion for a preliminary injunction, the Court denied the motion and dissolved the temporary restraining order. This Opinion sets forth the Court’s reasoning.I. Factual and Procedural BackgroundA. The PartiesLaurel Road provides financial services in student loan refinancing, mortgages, personal and commercials loans, and consumer and business deposit products. Schaefer Decl. 3, Doc. 10. Laurel Road has physical bank branches in Connecticut as well as offices in Connecticut, New York, and California. Id. 4. Laurel Road also offers its services online. Id. 25.CommonBond offers graduate and undergraduate student loans and refinancing of such loans. Phillips Decl. 3, Doc. 18. CommonBond maintains an office in New York and sells its services nationwide through its online website. Id.

4, 12.B. Laurel Road’s Trade DressIn June 2017, Laurel Road (which was previously known as Darien Rowayton Bank) launched its Laurel Road brand. Schaefer Decl.

More From ALM

Premium Subscription

With this subscription you will receive unlimited access to high quality, online, on-demand premium content from well-respected faculty in the legal industry. This is perfect for attorneys licensed in multiple jurisdictions or for attorneys that have fulfilled their CLE requirement but need to access resourceful information for their practice areas.
View Now

Our Team Account subscription service is for legal teams of four or more attorneys. Each attorney is granted unlimited access to high quality, on-demand premium content from well-respected faculty in the legal industry along with administrative access to easily manage CLE for the entire team.
View Now

Bundle Subscriptions

Gain access to some of the most knowledgeable and experienced attorneys with our 2 bundle options! Our Compliance bundles are curated by CLE Counselors and include current legal topics and challenges within the industry. Our second option allows you to build your bundle and strategically select the content that pertains to your needs. Both options are priced the same.
View Now

From Data to Decisions

Dynamically explore and compare data on law firms, companies, individual lawyers, and industry trends.

Exclusive Depth and Reach.

Law.com Compass includes access to our exclusive industry reports, combining the unmatched expertise of our analyst team with ALM’s deep bench of proprietary information to provide insights that can’t be found anywhere else.

Big Pictures and Fine Details

Law.com Compass delivers you the full scope of information, from the rankings of the Am Law 200 and NLJ 500 to intricate details and comparisons of firms’ financials, staffing, clients, news and events.

New York Legal Awards 2025

September 04, 2025
New York, NY

The New York Law Journal honors attorneys and judges who have made a remarkable difference in the legal profession in New York.

Learn More

Complex Claims & Litigation Forum 2025

February 24, 2025 - February 26, 2025
Las Vegas, NV

This conference aims to help insurers and litigators better manage complex claims and litigation.

Learn More

Legalweek Leaders in Tech Law Awards 2025

March 24, 2025
New York, NY

Recognizing innovation in the legal technology sector for working on precedent-setting, game-changing projects and initiatives.

Learn More

Commercial Real Estate/Transactional Attorney (Experienced)

Boutique Law Firm in Englewood Cliffs, NJ is seeking an Experienced Commercial Real Estate/Transactional Attorney for a full-time position. ...

Apply Now ›

Litigation Attorney (Experienced)

Boutique Law Firm in Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey is seeking a Litigation Associate NJ Bar admission required. NY admission a plus but is no...

Apply Now ›

AttorneyJob Code: LEP023Pay Grade: NFLSA Status: ExemptLegal UnitJob Description:This position reports directly to the Chief Legal Officer, ...

Apply Now ›