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The Suspension Bridge Effect: Why Trademark Attorneys Must Protect Entire Brand Systems, Not Just Individual Marks

In brand protection, as in bridge engineering, the strength of brand differentiation (trademark distinctiveness) depends on the integrity of each supporting cable. When one snaps, the question is not only whether you can fix that component, but also whether the whole structure will hold together long enough for the repair crew to arrive.

5 minute read June 30, 2025 at 11:02 PM
By
Allen Adamson
The Suspension Bridge Effect: Why Trademark Attorneys Must Protect Entire Brand Systems, Not Just Individual Marks

When Chinese TikTok creators claimed to be able to produce Lululemon leggings for five dollars, while the brand charges over $100 for the same leggings, they garnered 2.6 million views in just a few days.

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