The November 5, 2019 program “” co-sponsored by BPLA’s and CLIC at Northeastern University School of Law, addressed the reasoning and consequences of the increase in failure-to-function refusals at the USPTO. The panel covered a wide range of points from core principles of trademark law to procedural implications, with incisive and amusing commentary on a variety of marks subjected to refusal, and strategic and philosophical insights from the brand owner, trademark counsel, and academic point of view.