Will Dunkin' Donuts soon have a bagel version of its popular donut hole Munchkins? According to Boston.com, the chain has applied for the trademark, "Bagel Bunchkin."

The company has a snack-sized bagel hole stuffed with a jalapeno-spiced sausage in its South Korean stores, and consumers have reported seeing similar offerings in test at some U.S. stores.

Dunkin' Donuts rolled out a Bagel Twist in 2010.

A trademark lawyer told Boston.com that companies are not allowed to apply for trademarks unless they are already using the brand name or intend to do so within a few years.

The Bunchkin name was tentatively rejected in the spring after the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office noted that a supermarket chain already registered the rights to a similar name for its bagel line. Dunkin' Donuts has the next month to appeal that decision.

Read more about branding.

Related Content

User Comments – Give us your opinion!
  • Kevin McInnis
    18550001
    It's smart that they would do this BEFORE launching the product. If you don't take advantage of a business opportunity like this by registering your trademark FIRST, someone else will. I had no idea how this all worked until recently, I found a great guide to Intellectual property protection on http://trademarkshop.ca/trade-mark-basics
Products & Services

LG M3704CCBA - 37" class (37.0" measured diagonally)

http://global.networldalliance.com/new/images/products/4316.png

4316/LG-M3704CCBA-37-class-37-0-measured-diagonally

Digital Signage PC Solution with Maximum Flexibility

http://global.networldalliance.com/new/images/products/philipsicon.jpg

4011/Digital-Signage-PC-Solution-with-Maximum-Flexibility

Nationwide Criminal Records

http://global.networldalliance.com/new/images/products/Criminal_Search_iix.gif

1427/Nationwide-Criminal-Records

ARGO - Touch Screen

http://global.networldalliance.com/new/images/products/6017.png

6017/ARGO-Touch-Screen

Enterprise Solutions

http://global.networldalliance.com/new/images/products/4124.png

4124/Enterprise-Solutions

RoninCast® Software

http://global.networldalliance.com/new/images/products/4754.png

4754/RoninCast-Software

Presentation: Unleashing the Retail Customer Experience

http://global.networldalliance.com/new/images/products/webcast_small.gif

3099/Presentation-Unleashing-the-Retail-Customer-Experience

Business Intelligence

http://global.networldalliance.com/new/images/products/4241.png

4241/Business-Intelligence

ATM Remote Monitoring

http://global.networldalliance.com/new/images/products/ATMsoftare_100_0708.gif

539/ATM-Remote-Monitoring

LG M4210LCBA - 42" class (42.0" measured diagonally

http://global.networldalliance.com/new/images/products/4314.png

4314/LG-M4210LCBA-42-class-42-0-measured-diagonally

Request Information From Suppliers
Save time looking for suppliers. Complete this form to submit a Request for Information to our entire network of partners.