Joint Statement Regarding "Katonah" Trademark

Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc., the Katonah Village Improvement Society, Katonah Paint and Hardware, Inc. and Katonah Architectural Hardware Ltd. have reached an amicable resolution to their trademark dispute.

As a result of the agreement, the Katonah Village Improvement Society, Katonah Paint and Hardware and Katonah Architectural Hardware, in recognition of Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia’s legitimate need to protect its intellectual property and business interests, will drop their opposition to the company’s application to register “Katonah” as a trademark in connection with the line of furniture the company has developed using that name. Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia has agreed to pursue only one trademark application, for furniture, mirrors, pillows and chairpads, and to drop applications for additional goods such as hardware, paint, lighting and home textiles. The company currently produces a line of furniture named “Katonah” for which it will continue with the trademark registration process. The company believes its registration of the name “Katonah” as a trademark in association with its particular products in no way interferes with the rights of businesses like Katonah Paint and Hardware and Katonah Architectural Hardware to continue to use the name “Katonah” for their stores. The company has never challenged the right of Katonah-based businesses to use their town’s name in their company names and would only challenge a use of the name if a product (like furniture) were branded with the name “Katonah” in a way that infringed the company’s trademark rights, which could cause confusion for consumers.

All parties are pleased to have resolved any misunderstandings and to join in mutual appreciation of the Westchester County hamlet of Katonah.