Judge blocks NOTUS from renaming itself the Star after trademark complaint

A federal judge sided with a small outlet that holds the trademark to the Washington Star name

Posted Wednesday, June 3, 2026 9:47 am

Scott Nover | The Washington Post

The stars are not aligning in Washington.

A federal judge in Northern Virginia blocked NOTUS, a Washington area news outlet, from rebranding itself as the Star on Tuesday, finding the name was too similar to that of the Washington Star.

The temporary restraining order prevents NOTUS from launching its new domain, advertising the rebrand or using the Star name in new materials until at least a July 22 hearing on a preliminary injunction.

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Judge blocks NOTUS from renaming itself the Star after trademark complaint

A federal judge sided with a small outlet that holds the trademark to the Washington Star name

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