A recent road trip in Texas flagged this roadside sign, depicting a likely famous non-verbal logo, standing all alone: So, I dug up this little gem from our archives to refresh my memory on what I had said about it before: Which Non-Verbal Logo Doesn’t Belong? Admittedly, I was skeptical about Starbucks’ move to extract the siren… Continue Reading
Tag Archives: Logos Without Words
University of California Flushes New Logo
Posted in AlphaWatch, Branding, Guest Bloggers, Marketing, Social Networking, TrademarksSo, last Friday we covered this story: Critics Flush New University of California Logo. Now, we can report that the next morning, the Los Angeles Times wrote this story: Maligned UC Logo Shelved; “Time to Move On,” Officials Say. Putting aside any possible questions about cause and effect, is there a difference between flushing a… Continue Reading
Critics Flush New University of California Logo
Posted in AlphaWatch, Branding, Guest Bloggers, Marketing, Trademarks, TruncationHow about a little levity for your weekend preparations? There has been a great deal of discussion among those interested in the brand new and increasingly controversial University of California logo appearing on the right above. Mashable’s discussion of the online branding outrage is here. Berkeleyside coverage is here. And, News Fix coverage is here. Brian Williams even… Continue Reading
Bordering on Logos (Again)
Posted in Advertising, Branding, Food, Look-For Ads, Marketing, Non-Traditional Trademarks, Technology, TrademarksBy now, you must know, I’m a sucker for billboard ads. I really love to notice, study, comment on, and critique them, especially when there is an opportunity for some trademark storytelling. This one for the Hampton Inn & Suites brand does not disappoint. It appears that an IP holding company for Hilton, HLT Domestic… Continue Reading
The Colonel or The Bell?
Posted in BrandingWhich brand do you believe is better equipped to enjoy the benefits of using a non-verbal logo? In other words, which brand can more easily shed the words from the visual identity, in the hopes of joining the ranks of these likely famous non-verbal logos and brand signals? My answer below the jump.
Which Non-Verbal Logo Doesn’t Belong?
Posted in Branding, Famous Marks, Food, Marketing, TrademarksWelcome to another addition of Non-Verbal Logos that truly stand alone (without words). Other additions here and here. The latter was generously republished by David Airey. So, as we’ve said before, pictures can say a thousand words, but which logo doesn’t belong here: My answer below the jump.
A Famous Trademark That Casts a Very Long Shadow
Posted in Branding, Famous Marks, Law Suits, Marketing, TrademarksThis is the epitome of a famous non-verbal logo and trademark that truly can stand alone (we have discussed others too): Hat tip to John Welch over at the TTABlog who did a very nice write up on this interesting decision: Apple, Inc. v. Echospin, LLC. Basically, the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB) of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office… Continue Reading
Logo-less: When Does it Make Sense to Go Without?
Posted in Branding, Famous Marks, Marketing, TrademarksYesterday, we asked about when it might make sense to go brand-less, and whether doing so can be an effective marketing strategy long term. Today, I’m wondering, what and where would McDonalds be without the Golden Arches? Nike without the Swoosh? Shell Oil without the, well, Shell? Laura Savard and Mark Gallagher of BlackCoffee stirred up an interesting conversation on… Continue Reading
More On The Fordless Blue Oval
Posted in Branding, Dilution, Famous Marks, Marketing, Non-Traditional Trademarks, Sight, TrademarksWhat do you think, is Overstock.com selling bling with the Fordless blue oval logo? As you may recall from my post back in September, Ford Motor Company is attempting to register the below shown non-verbal logo as a trademark for a variety of goods in Int’l Class 12: And, as you may recall from Dan’s I See Blue Ovals post… Continue Reading
Simply a Miscellaneous Design?
Posted in Branding, Marketing, Sight, TrademarksIn case you’re wondering, this design is a federally-registered non-verbal trademark. The owner identified it as a "Miscellaneous Design," without further detail or description (since it predated the more rigorous rules on supplying the Trademark Office with an accurate and detailed description of the mark). The U.S. Trademark Office assigned to this design mark Design Code 24.15.25 ("other arrows") and in… Continue Reading
Striking The Pose of Differentiation?
Posted in Branding, Dilution, Famous Marks, Marketing, Sight, TrademarksAs you’ll see, I’m no equestrian (nor equine expert for that matter), but given the non-verbal logos shown above, are you able to tell what company operates a fleet of these semi tractor-trailers? Does the color of the horse help? Horse breed? The direction it is facing? How about its pose? Some possible considerations and the answer below the jump.
Blue Oval, But Look Mom, No Words!
Posted in Branding, Marketing, Non-Traditional Trademarks, TrademarksWhat does this image signify to you? For full credit, please answer the question before peeking back at Dan’s popular post called "I See Blue Ovals."
Pros and Cons of Stand-Alone Non-Verbal Logos and Other Trademark Styles: A Legal Perspective
Posted in Advertising, Branding, Infringement, Marketing, TrademarksAs promised earlier this week, in my post entitled "Without Words, But Not Speechless: More On Non-Verbal Logos That Can Stand Alone," here is my effort to identify, from a legal perspective, some of the pros and cons of non-verbal logos and other trademark styles. But, before addressing the legal implications, it is worth noting that a number of our insightful readers and commenters already… Continue Reading
Without Words, But Not Speechless: More On Non-Verbal Logos That Can Stand Alone
Posted in Advertising, Branding, Famous Marks, Food, Marketing, TrademarksMy family vacation and road trip through the heartland this past week has yielded a few photos for discussion. For example, here is a captured pair of non-verbal logos that can stand alone, without the need for any words. As you may recall, one of my previous blog posts (April 9, 2009) discussed non-verbal logos that can… Continue Reading
“Chief Wahoo” Re-Branding Underway? A Painful Lesson on Saving Face
Posted in Advertising, Branding, First Amendment, Marketing, TrademarksA picture can say a thousand words; so does a face. The same is probably true of non-verbal logos, including the several federally-registered "Chief Wahoo" logos, shown above (all apparently still in use by the "Cleveland Indians" professional baseball team, according to their latest trademark filings). So, what do they say to you? My take? I can… Continue Reading
Non-Verbal Logos That Can Stand Alone, And One That Can’t
Posted in Branding, Famous Marks, Marketing, Sight, TrademarksEven young children understand the power of brands and trademark symbols before they can read. Years ago, when my children were at the ripe young age of wondering (and maybe caring) what my job was, I’d try to explain the kinds of things a trademark attorney might do. Of course, I didn’t tell them some view trademark types as "the… Continue Reading
Duets Blog Authors
Steve Baird
Just so you know, I'm all about brands and the law, both professionally and personally. I regularly annoy family and friends in retail stores by focusing on product labels—not to buy the product, but to read the fine print and ask, "Who owns these brands" and "Did they really register those marks?" More...
Brent Lorentz
Although I wish I could say my path to the law was the result of a lifelong dream or calling, it was more the result mere curiosity and an affinity for leather-bound books. More...
Tiffany Blofield
Although my initial career path was to be one of the Supremes (not the musically talented ones with platform shoes and sequins, but rather, the nine wearing sensible shoes and pressed black robes in DC), I will likely stay in Minnesota as I have never lived anywhere else. More...
Brad Walz
My law career started on the ice…as a defensive hockey player (we’re not talking professionally…and if I were, I probably wouldn’t have gotten into law). More...
Derek Allen
In hindsight, writing about creativity and the law may have always been in the cards for me. I began training for a career in litigation at an early age by finding ways to disagree with pretty much anyone about pretty much anything. In my longest-running “case,” I argued with my middle school math teacher, Mrs. Jabs, for the better part of four years over whether, even if I got the right answer, I had to show my work to get full credit. More...
Martha Engel
Although my interest in gadgetry and my aptitude for math eventually led me to become an engineer, my ad executive father and artistically gifted mother fostered an appreciation for the creative from a young age. More...
Anjali Shankar
When I was in elementary and middle school, I loved writing short stories. Creativity and imagination seem to come naturally to people when they are young. More...
Timothy Sitzmann
I have always considered myself to be a creative person. Full disclosure: I'm not claiming that I've created anything good, merely that I have created things that exist.More...
Cathleen Dahl
Trademarks and I met through a small job advertisement in the back of a local newspaper, and little did I know that I would spend the next 18 years (and counting) deriving a living from their existence and importance. More...