Detroit Hudson's site nears securing trademarks after challenges

• The construction project, which has yet to announce an opening timeline, remained unnamed for years but was consistently referred to as "Hudson's."

Flashback: In a process that began in September, developer Bedrock applied for trademarks and was initially rejected by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), in part because of a "likelihood of confusion" with other trademarks.

• A back-and-forth ensued to appeal the rejection in March and take the application out of suspension.

The latest: Bedrock's "Hudson's Detroit" trademark applications got preliminary approval in July, the Free Press first reported.

• The trademarks are set to publish in the USPTO's "Trademark Official Gazette" on Tuesday, according to the USPTO.
• Then anyone can file a notice of opposition for 30 days, and if there are no objections, the office will proceed with registration.

The intrigue: Businesses don't need to register a trademark with the USPTO to use it. But the USPTO says registration allows for stronger interstate rights and protections over the trademarked words, symbols or designs.