Forgotten Brands, New Opportunities: 50 ‘90s Trademarks That Are Up fo

Forgotten Brands, New Opportunities: 50 ‘90s Trademarks That Are Up for Grabs (and How to Claim One)

22 April, 2026
Nyall Engfield

Think back to the 1990s—a time of dial-up internet, slap bracelets, and the unforgettable flavor of Fruitopia. Behind the nostalgia lies a treasure trove of intellectual property: abandoned trademarks that were once filed with the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) or international registries but have since been left to expire.

If you’ve ever dreamed of reviving a retro brand, these forgotten trademarks represent a unique opportunity. Below is a list of 50 trademarks from the 1990s that are now dead or abandoned—and a step‑by‑step guide on how you can apply for them.

50 ‘90s Trademarks No Longer in Use

#	Trademark	Original Owner	Category
1	VIACOM	Viacom	Vitamins, bandages, baby foods
2	F	Specialized Bicycle Components	Bicycles & parts
3	FUTURA	TTI Communications	Communications equipment
4	BART SIMPSON	20th Century Fox Film Corp.	Toys & entertainment
5	TOYSTERS	–	Playing cards, children’s books
6	MR. BOGUS	Technicolor Videocassette	Toys, stuffed animals, computer games
7	COWAPATRA	Saban Entertainment	Toys & entertainment
8	CAYMUS	Lisa Frank, Inc.	Toy figures, plush toys, dolls
9	HOT SHOTS BURGERS & FRIES	Hot Shots Burgers & Fries, Inc.	Restaurant services
10	NAUGLES	Del Taco	Restaurant services
11	BUFFALO GRILL	Buffalo Grill	Restaurant services
12	FOSTERS CLASSIC	Fosters Freeze International	Meat, processed foods, beverages
13	FRITOS RACERZ	Frito‑Lay	Corn‑based snacks, dips, salsas
14	NETBOOK	Psion PLC	Laptop computers
15	CDTV	Commodore Electronics	Computer hardware
16	GLOBALTECH	Chips and Technologies, Inc.	Computer hardware & software
17	PALMPILOT	Palm Computing	Personal digital assistants
18	TECHNOBEETLES	–	Computer programs, video discs
19	M (MicroAge)	MicroAge Computer Centers	Computers & accessories
20	ZIPSTER	Pi Electronics	Computer & electrical products
21	SHADOW	Granada Electronics	Electronics
22	COMTECH	Solomon Dwek	Electronics
23	M (stylized “M”)	–	Electric coffee grinders, food processors
24	GRAND FARE	–	Household chemicals, laundry detergent
25	FIFI	–	Ceramic mugs, bowls, baby bottles
26	T 9	–	Houseware & glass products
27	TRADITIONS	Sears, Roebuck and Co.	Machinery & environmental controls
28	MEGELLAN	Ford Motor Company	Motor vehicles & structural parts
29	SPECTRE	General Motors Corporation	Motor vehicles
30	CITEX	–	Automobiles & structural parts
31	CADZZILLA	–	Automobiles
32	NATIONAL AUTO	GKN Parts Industries	Auto parts
33	90 S CHOICE	Mid‑Atlantic Brewing Company	Beer
34	O.T.	Old Tyme Beverage Company	Beverages
35	TRIO	Pharmavite Corporation	Soft drinks, fruit punches
36	SHACK	Pepsico Inc.	Beverages
37	BLIZZARD SODA	Wolmex Beverage Company	Soda
38	FRISTI	–	Beverages
39	CHARRITOS	Nostalgia Products Corp.	Beverages
40	DELICIOUS SMAXX CANDIES	–	Candy
41	TIX‑TIX	PepsiCo, Inc.	Candy
42	TOOTSIE TAFFY POPS	Tootsie Roll Industries	Candy
43	BUG EYE	Amurol Confections Company	Candy
44	H‑O‑T CIN‑O‑MON	–	Candy
45	NIKE TOWN	Nike, Inc.	Retail store services (clothing)
46	RUMBELOWS	Rumbelows (UK retailer)	Electrical retail
47	FOXY AMERICAN SHOPPER	American Tobacco Company	Retail services
48	CITY EDITION	Unimark, Inc.	Retail services
49	O'HARES	–	Video games, VCR games, computer games
50	OLD	Tooheys Pty Ltd	Beer

Sources: USPTO, Justia Trademarks, Furm, Trademarkia, IP Australia, CIPO, and other trademark databases.

How to Apply for an Abandoned Trademark

Before you rush to file, keep in mind: a dead trademark is not necessarily free for the taking. The original owner may still be using the mark in commerce (common‑law rights) or may have plans to revive it. However, if the mark has truly been abandoned, you can file a fresh application with the USPTO just as you would for a brand‑new trademark. Here’s how:

Step 1: Confirm the trademark is truly dead

Search the USPTO’s Trademark Electronic Search System (TESS) to see the current status. Look for terms like “DEAD,” “ABANDONED,” “CANCELLED,” or “EXPIRED.” Also check whether the original owner is still using the mark in business—for example, by visiting their website or searching online marketplaces.

Step 2: Determine why it died

Common reasons trademarks become dead include:

Failure to file a required maintenance document (Section 8 declaration or Section 9 renewal).
Non‑use in commerce for three consecutive years (legal abandonment).
Express abandonment by the owner.
Cancellation by the USPTO or a court.

If the mark was abandoned for non‑use, you have a stronger case. If it died because of a procedural error (e.g., the owner missed a deadline), the original owner may still have common‑law rights.

Step 3: Conduct a comprehensive clearance search

Even if the federal registration is dead, a similar or identical mark may be live on the register, or a third party may be using the mark in a way that creates a likelihood of confusion. A professional trademark attorney can help you search both federal and common‑law sources.

Step 4: File a new trademark application

You cannot simply “take over” an abandoned registration. Instead, you must file a new application with the USPTO as if the mark had never been registered. You can file based on:

Actual use in commerce – if you are already selling goods or services under the mark.
Intent to use – if you have a bona fide plan to use the mark in the near future.

File online through the USPTO’s TEAS system. The filing fee is typically $250–$350 per class of goods/services.

Step 5: Respond to office actions

The USPTO examining attorney may issue an office action (e.g., a refusal based on likelihood of confusion with a live mark, or a request for more information). You must respond within six months, or the application will be abandoned.

Step 6: Publication and opposition

If the application passes examination, it will be published in the Official Gazette for 30 days. During this period, any third party (including the original owner) can file an opposition. If no opposition is filed, the mark proceeds to registration.

Step 7: Maintain your registration

Once registered, you must file Section 8 declarations (between the 5th and 6th year, then every 10 years) and Section 9 renewals (every 10 years) to keep the mark alive. Failure to do so will cause your trademark to become dead—just like the 50 marks above.

A Word of Caution

Reviving a dead trademark can be a brilliant business move, but it comes with risks. The original owner may still hold common‑law rights, or a third party may have been using the mark in a different geographic area. Always conduct thorough due diligence and consider hiring an experienced trademark attorney.

That said, the 50 trademarks listed above have been officially abandoned by their original owners. With the right strategy, any one of them could become the next great retro revival—just like PalmPilot (abandoned after a legal battle) or Netbook (voluntarily withdrawn by Psion).

So go ahead—dust off that forgotten name and give it a second life. The ‘90s are calling.

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