Interesting Take On Implied Naked Licensing

Some see only a muffin tray intended for non-commercial home use. Some see ‘an affirmative brand-building device.”

"Rings of Dissent"

NY Times: “Rings of Dissent“:

Baron Pierre de Coubertin, founder of the modern Olympic Games, probably didn’t have this in mind when he came up with a logo of interlocking rings in 1913, a logo incorporated into the Olympic flag in 1920. The rings stand for the five continents (North and South America share a ring, and Antarctica lacks eligible bipeds). But how tempting those rings are when it comes to protest, particularly against China, host of the 2008 Games. Alterations of the rings have highlighted grievances as the Olympic torch has made its way from city to city in the last couple of weeks: Free Tibet; stop the genocide in Darfur; independence for the Uighurs in Western China.

Text of Notice of Opposition Filed by Apple Computer Against NYC re Use of Apple Logo

Magenta T v Magenta Mobile

Engadget:”Deutsche Telekom / T-Mobile demands Engadget Mobile discontinue using the color magenta“:

So last week Deutsche Telekom, owners of the global T-Mobile brand, sent Engadget a late birthday present: a hand-delivered letter direct from their German legal department requesting the prompt discontinuation of the use of the color magenta on Engadget Mobile. Yep, seriously.

What Can Brown Do To You?

UPS, owner of, inter alia, registration in “What Can Brown Do For You?”, sues lawyer named Brown who used ‘See What Brown Can Do For You” and “See What Brown Can Find For You.”

Risque Use of Risque

Adult video chain Risque sues defendant for use of RISQUE on adult video, on infringement and dilution grounds.
Risque Video and Top Ten Video v. Super Video Plus et. al., 2:08-cv-00569-ER (ED Penn Feb 5 2008).

New York Continues To Not Love Santa Barbara

NY State Dept of Economic Development v. I Love Santa Barbara (NDNY Dec 27 2007) (Appeal of TTAB decision denying NY’s opposition to use of “I (Heart) Santa Barbara).

The Week In Dogs

Dog correspondents Ollie and Banner point us to “What Not Wear, Canine Edition” via Counterfeit Chic.

Dilution, Liquidation, Run-off

Designboom: “‘Liquidated Logos by Zev“:
“zevs is a young french artist who lives and works in paris. he doesn’t typically display his work in galleries, preferring instead to use the urban environment as the canvas for his street art. he has pioneered his own style of french street art that blurs the line between vandalism and art.”

GOT MILK v. GOT PUS

PETA is running ads to draw attention to the level of pus in milk as a result of udder infections in cows. The California Milk Processor Board is complaining.