Carl Oppedahl, who has previously contributed to the Trademark Community (for example he freely distributes his Feathers trademark monitoring software), again performs a community service by hosting a listerv on the Madrid Protocol. Instructions on subscribing are here. A warning – he gives Homer Simpson as an example. Do not subscribe to the list
OSTOCALCIUM v. ASTOCALCIUM in India
Via Rediff.com, Glaxo prevails before the Delhi High Court.
INTA's Press Release on the Madrid Protocol
UNITED STATES JOINS THE MADRID PROTOCOL
New York, NY August 5, 2003
On August 2, 2003 the United States deposited its instrument of accession to the Madrid Protocol with the World Intellectual Property Organization in Geneva. This action signals its official membership to the treaty. The U.S. membership will take effect three months after
Toyota v. Geely in China and the U.S.
Toyota seems to be upset by the Chinese car maker Geely Merrie’s logo, shown above. This article indicates that Toyota has sued Geely. Interestingly, this ad for U.S. importation of the Merrie supports Toyota’s claims that Geely is falsely stating that the car has a Toyota engine.
In other Chinese carmaker trademark news, this article describes GM’s
"On Trail of Fake Rolexes, Lawyers Feel Harassed."
“The Informer Talked. Endlessly” an article from today’s NY Times (free registration required) regarding an informant who harrassed Rolex’s outside anti-counterfeiting counsel.
Idol Busy Suing
Ruben Stoddard, the New American Idol, is suing 205 Flava (link not working at the time of posting), the makers of his ‘205’ jersey, for allegedly exploiting his new-found idol status. An incomplete copy of his complaint here courtesy of The Smoking Gun. Via Australian Legal Eye.
And Of Course You Use Coyote Urine To Keep Away the Bambi Rats
Denise Howell, who has bambinos on the brain, has BAMBIs there as well, wondering aloud the state of the BAMBI mark.
With regard to the AIRSTREAM BAMBI (pictured above), Airstream’s owner has a registration for BAMBI. It also claims rights in the shape of the AIRSTREAM ‘silver bullet’. A client of mine once depicted a
Trademark Blog Meme Watch
New addition: FLASH MOB. Google hits: 15,000. Domainsurfer domain name hits: 1. Trademark applications: 0.
Memes already being watched: WEAPONS OF MASS DISTRACTION (36,000 Google hits); and METROSEXUAL (8,800).
Update: Just came across The Word Spy 100. METROSEXUAL is no. 1, FLASH MOB is no. 2.
PLANET HOLLYWOOD v. STAR HOLLYWOOD
China Blawg on a negotiated settlement between PLANET HOLLYWOOD and STAR HOLLYWOOD for restaurnats in China.
Among the things trademark owners worry about is that their unused marks will become vlunerable to non-sue cancellation in certain jurisdictions. The article passes along the tip that in China, mere newspaper advertising, even without the ability on the
Will Targeted Advertising Create A New Kind of Word-Stuffing?
The NY Times (free subscription required) has an article on targeted advertising where Google or Overture serve ads that are triggered by the content of a website. For example:
. . . on Weather.com’s golf forecast page for Norfolk, Va., Google’s service which it calls AdSense can deliver ads for marketers who had