Re:Google Creates Alphabet, but Runs into BMW
by sp332 on Tuesday August 11, 2015 @03:00PM
(#10043530)
Yes, and UPS has trademarked brown (and T-mobile has purple). Remember that trademarks are limited to certain categories. If you're not competing with UPS, you can use brown etc.
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Re:Google Creates Alphabet, but Runs into BMW
by WalterBright on Tuesday August 11, 2015 @05:42PM
(#10044605)
I know how trademark works (I have a registered tm myself), but am suggesting that it change. To my mind trademarking 'brown' is so thoroughly uncreative. A trademark should be more than a common English word.
Re:Google Creates Alphabet, but Runs into BMW
by dragonwriter on Tuesday August 11, 2015 @05:53PM
(#10044664)
Trademark isn't intended to be about creativity (that's copyright), trademark is intended to be about preventing commercial confusion.
Re:Google Creates Alphabet, but Runs into BMW
by WalterBright on Tuesday August 11, 2015 @06:28PM
(#10044840)
The "Pixels" thing clearly shows that trademarking common English words is ripe for confusion. A little creativity would go a long way towards reducing confusion.