Legal Definitions - pattern similarity

Definition: Pattern similarity refers to the resemblance of one trademark or copyrighted work to another. It is a measure of how closely one work resembles another, either in terms of overall impression or in terms of specific elements.

Example: In the world of intellectual property, pattern similarity is often used to determine whether one work infringes on the rights of another. For example, if a new product is released that looks and functions very similarly to an existing product, it may be considered a pattern similarity infringement. Similarly, if a new logo or trademark is too similar to an existing one, it may be considered an infringement.

Explanation: The examples illustrate how pattern similarity can be used to determine whether one work is too similar to another. In both cases, the question is whether the new work is similar enough to the existing work to cause confusion or deception among consumers. This is determined by looking at the overall impression of the works, as well as specific elements such as design, function, and wording.