The United States government has provisionally rejected a trademark application filed by Led Zeppelin for the name “The Led Zeppelin Experience,” marking a second official refusal and a legal hurdle for the band’s long-anticipated entertainment project. The decision, issued on December 9, 2025, means the band may need to provide additional information to clarify the nature of the project if it hopes to secure protection for the mark.
Lawyers representing Superhype Tapes, a company owned by guitarist Jimmy Page, submitted the trademark application on July 14, 2025, covering entertainment services such as live performances, theatrical events, concerts and related merchandise. The filing aimed to maintain the band’s claim to the name in the United States after previous trademark registrations were nearing expiration.
In its refusal, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) concluded that “The Led Zeppelin Experience” is too similar to Led Zeppelin’s existing trademark for the band’s name, posing a likelihood of consumer confusion. The agency also indicated that the word “experience” is descriptive for entertainment services, noting that such terminology does not sufficiently distinguish the proposed mark from the well-known band name.
The provisional rejection gives Led Zeppelin a window of several months to respond with arguments or revisions before the application is abandoned. Legal experts note that overcoming dual issues — similarity to an existing mark and descriptiveness of a generic term — can be particularly challenging without presenting new evidence of distinctiveness.
Since the initial filing in 2017, the band’s “Experience” project has been shrouded in speculation, with suggestions ranging from an exhibition or archival releases to a hologram-based event. Surviving members Page, Robert Plant and John Paul Jones, along with the estate of late drummer John Bonham, established a UK-registered company related to the venture, although details have remained sparse.
The outcome highlights broader complexities that legacy artists face when seeking intellectual property protection for branded entertainment endeavors, especially when combining famous names with generic terms. Led Zeppelin’s ability to secure U.S. trademark rights for “The Led Zeppelin Experience” now hinges on how effectively the band can address the USPTO’s concerns and define the project’s unique character.
