Well-known rap artist and producer Dr. Dre lost a three-year court battle with Pittsburgh-based physician Draion M. Burch, DO, last week after the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office said consumers would not confuse the two individuals despite their similar-sounding names, according to The Washington Post.
Dr. Burch, an OB-GYN, filed an application in April 2015 to trademark the name "Dr. Drai" to use when promoting himself and his brand. However, Dr. Dre opposed the application, claiming Dr. Burch's use of the name "Dr. Drai" would cause confusion and create a "false suggestion of a connection," according to U.S. Patent and Trademark Office documents, obtained by Becker's Hospital Review.
The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office dismissed Dr. Dre's case May 7, stating the rapper failed to show how consumers would be misled by Dr. Burch's use of the similar moniker and purchase Dr. Drai's services and products thinking they were Dr. Dre's, The Washington Post reports.
In his response to Dr. Dre's contentions, Dr. Burch said it is unlikely consumers would confuse the two because Dr. Dre "is not a medical doctor nor is he qualified to provide any type of medical services or sell products specifically in the medical or healthcare industry," according to the report.
Dr. Burch also noted associations between the two of them would harm his own brand, claiming Dr. Dre is known for "misogyny and homophobic things" and cited some of the rapper's song lyrics as examples, according to the report.
To access the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office's decision, click here.