Legal Definitions - antidissection rule

The antidissection rule is a principle used in trademark law to compare potentially conflicting marks. It requires that the marks be compared as a whole or as they are viewed by consumers in the marketplace, rather than being broken down into their individual parts.

For example, let's say two companies are using similar logos. One company's logo is a red apple with a bite taken out of it, while the other company's logo is a green apple with a bite taken out of it. Under the antidissection rule, the logos would be compared as a whole, rather than just comparing the color or shape of the apple. This is because consumers may view the logos as similar due to the bite taken out of the apple, regardless of the color or shape.

The antidissection rule helps to ensure that trademarks are protected in their entirety, rather than just certain elements of the mark. This helps to prevent confusion among consumers and protects the reputation of the trademark owner.