Legal Definitions - confusingly similar

Definition: Confusingly similar is a legal term used to determine whether a potential trademark conflicts with an existing trademark for the purpose of trademark registration. It refers to a situation where a symbol or logo is so similar to an existing trademark that it may cause confusion among the public.

Example: Let's say a company named "ABC" has a trademark for their logo, which is a red apple with a bite taken out of it. Another company, "XYZ," wants to register a trademark for their logo, which is also a red apple with a bite taken out of it. This would be considered confusingly similar because the logos are almost identical, and consumers may mistake one company for the other.

Explanation: The example illustrates how confusingly similar can be applied in trademark law. The logos of both companies are so similar that it may cause confusion among consumers, which is why the second company's trademark registration may be denied. This is to protect the original company's trademark and prevent any confusion or harm to their brand reputation.