HISTORY
1982 Formation & Iowa Trademark
Syntax was formed in the Midwest in 1982. That same year, we took early action to protect the name by filing an Iowa trademark to stop another band (Frixis) from using it. This set the foundation for our commitment to the Syntax identity.
80s/90s Live Shows & Classic Covers
We built our reputation with high-energy live performances covering legendary acts like Kansas, Styx, Rush, Asia, Genesis, The Cars, Tom Petty, and more. These shows helped define our sound and connect with fans across the region.
1990s AOL MP3/WAV Era
Long before YouTube and Spotify, Syntax was sharing music digitally. Archived AOL pages show uploads of covers and original tracks in the late 90s and early 2000s.
2000s–2010s YouTube & Digital Releases
We continued releasing live and studio recordings online. One example is our cover of "Carry On Wayward Son," uploaded over 15 years ago and still available on our YouTube channel.
Brand Protection Milestones
We have successfully protected the Syntax name from unauthorized uses, including the removal of material related to the Meccano Mind, Tripolar albums and the Nip/Tuck soundtrack. Over the years, we have opposed and prevailed against several USPTO trademark applications, including “House of Syntax,” “Bad Syntax,” “Dewey Syntax,” “Liminal Syntax,” “MC Syntax,” and “Syntax Era.” All of these applications were denied due to likelihood of confusion with our prior rights.
Current Trademark Portfolio (exact language from the certificates)United States
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Reg. No. 4,639,300 – SYNTAX
Exact Goods/Services: Entertainment, namely, live performances by a musical band.
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Reg. No. 6,269,376 – SYNTAX
Exact Goods/Services: Digital music downloadable from the Internet; Musical recordings.
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Reg. No. 6,994,335 – SYNTAX
Exact Goods/Services: Providing on-line music, not downloadable; Providing on-line videos featuring music, not downloadable.
International
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WIPO Madrid International Registration No. 1,588,134 (covering UK, EU, and Canada)
Digital music downloadable from the Internet; Musical recordings.
Successful Name Resolutions
In cases where other artists have used names containing “Syntax,” we have worked toward amicable resolutions. For example, an artist originally releasing as Syntax, then Syntax81, eventually rebranded to Centric81 after two rounds of enforcement. By keeping the same ISRC codes and metadata where possible, he was able to preserve his existing streams and catalog history. Many artists try to add a few letters or numbers to work around the name, but we have consistently protected our mark. The goal is always to protect the SYNTAX legacy while allowing others to continue their careers under a distinct name.
Advice to Fellow Artists
If you’re building a music career, get a proper trademark search and registration done early. Don’t build your house on land you don’t own — or on land that already belongs to someone else. A quick trademark check upfront can save years of stress, lost streams, and rebranding later.
Current Chapter
Today, Syntax continues to perform, record, and evolve while honoring our roots in classic rock and 80s-inspired music. New releases and live shows are on the way.
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Trademark Owner: Doug Martens (
syntaxband.com) - Core Protected Mark: SYNTAX
- Legal Precedent Applied: In re E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Co. (1973) — Factor 1 (Commercial Impression) & Factor 2 (Similarity of Goods/Services)
The junior user ("Bad Syntax") completely encapsulates the dominant, distinctive element of the senior registrant's trademark ("SYNTAX"). Under DuPont Factor 1, the addition of a generic, descriptive modifier ("Bad") fails to alter the primary consumer impression of the underlying brand, creating a direct risk of initial interest confusion and source dilution in the digital marketplace.
The junior user's defense relies on the false premise of strict sub-genre isolation (i.e., operating exclusively in an American Drum & Bass lane separate from the senior user). The senior user hereby establishes a documented, historical commercial presence across a broad multi-genre ecosystem that directly encompasses and predates the junior user's creative space. The senior trademark's established catalog explicitly integrates:
- Classical / Orchestral Arrangements: (Wagner's Lohengrin)
- Jazz Composition Structures: (Old Number 9)
- Heavy Metal / Dark Basslines: (Victim of the Night)
- Electronic / Dark Breakbeat / Drum & Bass Cornerstones: (Plastic People)
- Surf Rock / High-Energy Instrumentals: (The Ventures - Hawaii Five-O)
Because the senior user's historical output directly covers the exact sonic rhythms, breakbeats, and electronic sub-genres exploited by the junior user, the channels of trade are overlapping, not parallel. The senior user retains absolute priority to enforce removals against any entity leveraging the encapsulated mark within these musical spaces.
SYNTAX is a registered trademark of Douglas Martens (U.S. Registration No. 4,639,300).
The name SYNTAX identifies Douglas Martens, a living individual, and is used as his stage name for solo performances and legacy band projects.
All rights reserved.