Legal Definitions - false-association claim

A false-association claim is a type of claim made in intellectual property law. It is based on the wrongful use of a name, mark, trade dress, or other device to misrepresent sponsorship, origin of goods or services, or affiliation.

For example, if a company uses a logo that is very similar to another company's logo, and this causes confusion among consumers about which company is actually providing the goods or services, the original company may have a false-association claim against the other company.

It's important to note that the power to assert a false-association claim is not limited to trademark registrants. Any person who claims an injury caused by deceptive use of a trademark or its equivalent may have standing to bring suit.

Overall, a false-association claim is a way for individuals or companies to protect their intellectual property and prevent others from using it in a way that could cause confusion or harm.