We’ve talked a lot about the nominative fair use of trademarks.
Remember the Cars.com billboard that used the Minnesota Twins name as brand bait?
We had some discussion in the comments, where I said this about the Cars.com ad:
Although the billboard doesn’t use the Twins script or logo, I still believe the
–Dan Kelly, Attorney
Which of these two signs (generally speaking, not these specific signs) do you think has sold more beer?
or
It stands to reason that COLD BEER signs have probably moved more product than BUDWEISER signs in the history of time, but, as with all things, context is important.
Merge the above train
Someone who is in the business of repairing Volvo brand automobiles has the right to say so, in advertising, and elsewhere — without obtaining advance permission from Volvo — provided consumers aren’t likely to understand the advertisement or communication to mean that the repair services and/or the business providing them is authorized by, affiliated with, or otherwise connected to
With the brand new outdoor Target Field located in downtown Minneapolis, the buzz is palpable, and there is certainly more foot and other forms of traffic, especially on the end of town closest to where the Minnesota Twins now play their home games. Given that increased traffic I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised that some businesses
Apparently, if you own one of the diminishing number of retail shops that specializes in tobacco products, it doesn’t really matter if you have a brand or a distinctive name, or not. Tell them what you sell, tell them you’re open for business, and they will come, I guess.
This image got me thinking about how often this marketing strategy — if
–Dan Kelly, Attorney
I think Steve once remarked something to the effect that the Internet is employment security for trademark attorneys. Road tripping is too. On one such recent occasion, my wife remarked on the similarity of Culver’s blue oval signage to Ford’s famous blue oval.
Obviously, there is no issue here from a trademark