United Airlines Holdings, founded in 1926 as Varney Air Lines, has a rich history marked by milestones in aviation. In 1931, it merged with several other carriers to form United Air Lines. Over the years, United has been a pioneer in the industry, introducing innovations such as the first flight kitchen and the first flight simulator. It played a crucial role during World War II, contributing to the war effort through its Air Transport Command operations. The company has officially registered its first logo as a trademark on December 3, 1953 with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
United Airlines has faced challenges, including bankruptcy in 2002, but successfully emerged to become a major global carrier. It has expanded through mergers, notably with Continental Airlines in 2010. United continues to be a leading player in the airline industry, serving a vast network of domestic and international destinations.
United Airlines Holdings have been involved in a number of legal cases over the protection of their brand assets in the past years. In 2017, United Airlines filed a lawsuit against Jeremy Cooperstock over www.untied.com, a consumer criticism website. Cooperstock was accused of trademark infringement, passing off, and copyright infringement. The court ruled in favor of United Airlines, finding that Cooperstock's use of "Untied" and United's branding constituted trademark infringement. The court rejected Cooperstock's fair dealing defense for copyright infringement, stating that the parody on www.untied.com was not fair. The case became an important precedent, emphasizing the risks gripe site operators face when using variations of a company's trademark for criticism.
