Fico, formerly known as Fair Isaac, the creator of the mighty Fico score, has lost the trademark on its 300-850 credit score range.

All Fico scores fall between these two three-digit numbers, but soon competitors may be able to copy Fico.

Earlier this month, U.S. District Court Judge Ann D. Montgomery denied Fico’s request for a new trial and ordered the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office to cancel Fair Isaac’s “300-850” trademark, according to a VantageScore NewsBlast.

However, the judge stayed the cancellation of the trademark pending Fair Isaac’s appeal.

The jury in the case basically concluded that one cannot legitimately trademark a numerical range for credit scores.

The decision also affirms VantageScore’s ability to use its 501-990 credit score range.

VantageScore is one of Fico’s main competitors, and has been working with the three major credit bureaus, Equifax, Experian, and Trans Union, to develop a competitive credit scoring model.

Fico has been working hard to fight off the competition, but it appears there may be more choices for consumers going forward.

Of course, Fico continues to be the clear leader and its the primary credit score used by banks and lenders to determine consumer loan eligibility.

VantageScore is focused on increasing access to credit for consumers who are either “underbanked” or deemed “unscoreable” using other credit scoring models, such as Fico.

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