Two Pesos

Two Pesos

The Two Pesos is a significant term in the field of law, specifically in the context of trademark law. It refers to a landmark case in the United States Supreme Court, Two Pesos, Inc. v. Taco Cabana, Inc., which set a precedent for the protection of trade dress under the Lanham Act.

Background

Two Pesos, Inc. was a restaurant chain based in Houston, Texas. The company was known for its unique interior and exterior design, which was a significant part of its brand identity. Taco Cabana, Inc., another Texas-based restaurant chain, claimed that Two Pesos had copied its distinctive restaurant design, thereby infringing on its trade dress.

The Case

The case, Two Pesos, Inc. v. Taco Cabana, Inc., was heard by the United States Supreme Court in 1992. Taco Cabana alleged that Two Pesos had copied its distinctive restaurant design, which it considered to be its trade dress. Two Pesos argued that Taco Cabana's design was not inherently distinctive and therefore not protectable under the Lanham Act.

Decision

The Supreme Court ruled in favor of Taco Cabana. The court held that a trade dress could be protected under the Lanham Act, even if it was not inherently distinctive, as long as it had acquired secondary meaning. This decision set a precedent for future cases involving trade dress infringement.

Impact

The Two Pesos case has had a significant impact on trademark law. It has clarified the protection of trade dress under the Lanham Act and has influenced numerous subsequent cases. The decision has also highlighted the importance of maintaining a unique and distinctive brand identity.

See Also

• Trademark Law
• Lanham Act
• Trade Dress
• United States Supreme Court

References

• Two Pesos, Inc. v. Taco Cabana, Inc., 505 U.S. 763 (1992)
• Lanham Act, 15 U.S.C. § 1051 et seq. (1946)
• Trade Dress Protection in the United States, 39 IDEA 31 (1998)

External Links

• Two Pesos, Inc. v. Taco Cabana, Inc. on Oyez
• Two Pesos, Inc. v. Taco Cabana, Inc. on Cornell Law School's Legal Information Institute