The last time most people heard about Blockbuster was during the “meme stock” craze of 2021. While GameStop led the way, plenty of people made and lost money on the outdated video store stock. However, a new trademark opposition filed with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) shows that the Blockbuster trademark – and the brand itself – is far from dead.

While one franchised location of Blockbuster remains in Oregon, the company has essentially been defunct for a decade. This did not stop the brand – now operating as BB Liquidating, Inc. – from filing a trademark opposition notice on January 15, 2026. Their target? A farm supply company that apparently thought its deer food supplement could “Make it a Blockbuster Night.”

Blockbuster Trademark Opposition Filed

In July 2025, Southern Feed and Seed, LLC, submitted a trademark application for “Block Buster,” the name given to their deer feed supplement. Even though the video store rental company exists mainly in nostalgic memories, Blockbuster sought to prevent registration.

If Southern Feed and Seed merely named their supplement “Block Buster,” there would likely be no issue. After all, a primary purpose of trademark law is to prevent a likelihood of confusion. While the names “Blockbuster” and “Block Buster” certainly sound the same, it’s unlikely that any consumer would think a defunct video store released a deer feed supplement.

Unfortunately for Southern Feed and Seed, they may have taken it a step too far in an attempt to trade on Blockbuster’s nostalgic appeal.

Nostalgia: Bringing Back a Brand

Over the past few years, consumers have increasingly become disillusioned with streaming services. Oversaturation in the market and the realization that you don’t actually own digital purchases have not helped the industry. This change in circumstances has led to a huge resurgence in physical media ownership.

This, combined with today’s unparalleled popularity of nostalgia, has reminded people of what it was like to browse the aisles of their local Blockbuster store in the ’90s and early aughts. Perhaps this is why Southern Feed and Seed made the branding for their product look nearly identical to a longstanding Blockbuster trademark.

In the application, they included a trademark specimen showing their use of the term “Block Buster” in commerce. In the opposition filing, Blockbuster notes that the specimen uses the “famous torn ticket design mark, yellow and blue color scheme, and… similar font” made popular by the original Blockbuster Video logo.

This decision could derail the entire trademark application process.

What Happens Now?

In a situation where a seed and feed store simply sought to trademark “Block Buster,” it’s possible the application would have sailed through the process. Unfortunately, it appears the attempt to appeal to nostalgia may have violated several existing Blockbuster trademarks. As it turns out, it’s not just the remaining Blockbuster that could be affected.

Last year, the corporate brand garnered media attention when it began hosting pop-up events at fan conventions. Affectionately referred to as “The Blockbuster Experience,” fans can shop the aisles in a true-to-its-roots video store. Clearly, the company that quickly lost its footing when Netflix took over the world hasn’t quite given up yet.

For now, Southern Feed and Seed has until March 16, 2026, to file a response with the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB). If they fail to do so, their application will become abandoned. If they choose to fight back, they may have an uphill battle thanks to their seemingly clear imitation of the Blockbuster trademark.

In the end, the feed brand may need to “Be Kind, Rewind” their marketing strategy.