{"id":2608109,"date":"2026-05-28T21:32:02","date_gmt":"2026-05-29T01:32:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/washington-star-sues-notus-over-name-rebranding-despite-going-bankrupt\/"},"modified":"2026-05-28T21:33:56","modified_gmt":"2026-05-29T01:33:56","slug":"washington-star-sues-notus-over-name-rebranding-despite-going-bankrupt","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/washington-star-sues-notus-over-name-rebranding-despite-going-bankrupt\/","title":{"rendered":"Washington Star sues NOTUS over name rebranding despite going bankrupt"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">20<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fwashington-star-sues-notus-over-name-rebranding-despite-going-bankrupt%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2608109&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Nearly 45 years after the original *Washington Star* stopped publishing following bankruptcy,its owner Dovid Efune is suing NOTUS over trademark infringement. efune\u2019s newly revived \u201clegendary\u201d newspaper says NOTUS-rebranding from NOTUS to \u201cThe Star\u201d in the Washington, D.C., area-uses a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/convenience-store-chain-wawa-accuses-new-jersey-dem-politician-of-stealing-infamous-goose-logo\/\" title=\"Convenience Store Chain Wawa Accuses New Jersey Dem Politician Of Stealing Infamous Goose Logo\">confusingly similar<\/a> name and trade mark.<\/p>\n<p>The reborn *Washington, D.C.* paper filed the case in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/federal-court-is-fast-tracking-sidney-powells-request-for-a-forensic-exam-of-dominion-voting-machines\/\" title=\"Federal Court Is Fast-Tracking Sidney Powell\u2019s Request For A Forensic Exam Of Dominion Voting Machines\">federal court<\/a> in Virginia, arguing the overlap is likely to confuse readers and seeking an injunction (to stop use of \u201cThe Star\u201d or similar marks), along with damages, a jury trial, and other relief. NOTUS\u2019s publisher,Robert Allbritton (previously associated with the *Washington Star* through his family),has said he is not concerned about confusion,though legal proceedings could determine the outcome.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<article class=\"fn-body\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Nearly 45 years after going bankrupt, the <em>Washington Star<\/em> is suing <em>NOTUS<\/em> as the latter news outlet rebrands to the <em>Star<\/em> soon.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The reborn <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/washington-dc\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"260\">Washington, D.C.<\/a>, newspaper filed the federal lawsuit on Thursday in <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/virginia\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"96\">Virginia<\/a> over trademark infringement of its name. The trademark is owned by <em>New York Sun<\/em> publisher Dovid Efune, who announced he is reviving the \u201clegendary\u201d newspaper.<\/p>\n<section class=\"explore-more-section\" id=\"wex-recommended-widget\">\n<div class=\"magazine-container single\">\n<h1 class=\"magazine-title mt-2\">Recommended Stories<\/h1>\n<p>             <i class=\"fa-solid fa-play icon\"><\/i>         <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-grid\">\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/4585380\/zohran-mamdani-nyc-commission-government-efficiency-coge\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Mamdani announces NYC\u2019s Commission on Government Efficiency<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/4584886\/three-narco-terrorists-killed-in-two-separate-lethal-kinetic-strikes-on-drug-boats\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Three \u2018narco-terrorists\u2019 killed in two separate \u2018lethal kinetic strikes\u2019 on drug boats<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/4584828\/massie-fishing-trip-mtg\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Massie goes on fishing trip with MTG after losing Kentucky primary election<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cMore than four decades later, we\u2019re scaling back up the <em>Star<\/em>\u2019s daily publication,\u201d he <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.twstar.com\/p\/a-rising-star-in-our-nations-capital\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/www.twstar.com\/p\/a-rising-star-in-our-nations-capital\">wrote<\/a> in an editorial on Substack. \u201cIt\u2019s been some years in the making. We\u2019ve long been of the view that our nation\u2019s capital has been poorer without the <em>Star<\/em>\u2019s distinctive voice.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In August 1981, the <em>Washington Star<\/em> ceased operations and filed for bankruptcy after solidifying its conservative reputation in the nation\u2019s capital for 128 years. Efune described the daily afternoon newspaper as the \u201cmost prominent and fiercest rival of the <em>Washington Post<\/em>\u201d back in the day.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Efune now sees an opportunity to compete with the <em>Washington Post<\/em>, which laid off roughly one-third of its staff in February.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Both the <em>Washington Star<\/em> and <em>NOTUS<\/em> are trying to fill the void left by the left-leaning newspaper, but the two companies will be partly preoccupied with a legal battle over the <em>Star<\/em> trademark.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cDefendant\u2019s planned use of \u2018The Star\u2019 as a trademark and trade name for a news publication based in the Washington, D.C., area is confusingly similar to Plaintiff\u2019s registered Mark, THE WASHINGTON STAR, and is, on its face, likely to cause confusion, mistake, or deception among consumers,\u201d the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/storage.courtlistener.com\/recap\/gov.uscourts.vaed.596846\/gov.uscourts.vaed.596846.1.0.pdf\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/storage.courtlistener.com\/recap\/gov.uscourts.vaed.596846\/gov.uscourts.vaed.596846.1.0.pdf\">19-page complaint<\/a> states.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The plaintiff is seeking a preliminary and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/breaking-kraken-released-attorney-sidney-powell-files-104-page-bombshell-complaint-of-massive-fraud-in-georgia-election-update-michigan-too\/\" title=\"BREAKING: KRAKEN RELEASED! Attorney Sidney Powell Files 104 Page BOMBSHELL COMPLAINT of Massive Fraud in Georgia Election - Update: Michigan too\">permanent injunction prohibiting<\/a> the defendant from \u201cusing \u2018The Star\u2019 or any <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/nike-wins-first-legal-battle-against-lil-nas-x-satan-shoes\/\" title=\"Nike Wins First Legal Battle Against Lil Nas X \u2018Satan Shoes\u2019\">confusingly similar mark<\/a>,\u201d as well as any compensatory damages and a jury trial to hear the case.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Efune is going head-to-head with <em>NOTUS<\/em> publisher and <em>Politico<\/em> co-founder Robert Allbritton, who launched <em>NOTUS<\/em> in January 2024 through the journalism nonprofit organization named after himself. Notably, Allbritton\u2019s father owned the <em>Washington Star<\/em> from 1975 to 1978.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThe Allbritton family\u2019s close connection with the former <em>Washington Star<\/em> makes NOTUS\u2019s adoption of \u2018The Star\u2019 for a Washington-area news operation all the more likely to cause confusion with Plaintiff\u2019s Mark,\u201d the lawsuit says.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/entertainment\/4585806\/freedom-250-entertainer-lineup-national-mall-fair\/\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/entertainment\/4585806\/freedom-250-entertainer-lineup-national-mall-fair\/\">FREEDOM 250 UNVEILS ENTERTAINER LINEUP FOR NATIONAL MALL FAIR, WITH SOME DROPPING OUT<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Allbritton <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2026\/05\/28\/business\/media\/the-washington-star-newspaper-rivalry-washington-post.html\">told<\/a> the <em>New York Times<\/em> this week he isn\u2019t worried about confusing readers with the new name.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In an <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/business\/media\/the-billionaire-trying-to-build-the-next-great-washington-newsroom-2e647ef6\">interview<\/a> with the <em>Wall Street Journal<\/em> last month, Allbritton said he considered renaming <em>NOTUS<\/em> to the <em>Washington Star<\/em> but stuck with the <em>Star<\/em> instead. Unless the Virginia district court decides otherwise, <em>NOTUS<\/em> is officially rebranding itself as the <em>Star<\/em> next week.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Nearly 45 years after bankruptcy, Washington Star sues NOTUS over trademark<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2159,"featured_media":2608110,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/AP060427019066.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[4585,80436,14757,5229,4086],"class_list":["post-2608109","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-lawsuit","tag-notus","tag-rebranding","tag-star","tag-washington"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/AP060427019066.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2608109","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2159"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2608109"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2608109\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2608113,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2608109\/revisions\/2608113"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2608110"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2608109"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2608109"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2608109"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}