The 2016 Summer Olympics will officially* begin in eight days. Yet the U.S. Olympic Committee’s (USOC) efforts to enforce the Olympic trademarks are truly an eternal battle. While the USOC has a reputation for aggressively enforcing its trademark rights, the USOC seems to have set a new personal record for aggressive tactics, attempting to enforce
Is Brewer’s BOSTON 2024 Ahead of Its Time?
-Martha Engel, Attorney
Boston Beer Corporation, makers of Samuel Adams beer, received approval for its intent-to-use trademark application for the word mark BOSTON 2024 for “beer,” which generated some news buzz in light of the city’s bid for the 2024 Olympics. While the move was praised as a smart business strategy to grab the
There is only one Lord of the (Olympic) Rings…but then there was Sochi
?DNERT DA WEN A SDRAWKCAB GNIOG SI
Despite watching a lot of Olympics coverage, no I haven’t picked up Russian or another Eastern European language yet. Translation: is going backwards a new ad trend?
I have been noticing a surprising trend towards using backwards video play. Take for instance these examples:
TD Ameritrade ad featuring Olympic speed skater J.R. Celski (Goodby Silverstein
Sochi’s First Meme
– Derek Allen, Attorney –
It didn’t take long for the Sochi Olympics to produce its first meme. On Saturday night, my girlfriend and I were able to block out the ongoing drama that is Bob Costas’ eye for long enough to watch American figure skater Ashley Wagner put on a solid performance during the
Godin on Trademark Bullying?
Seth Godin is someone we follow closely here on DuetsBlog, and he has just weighed in on the “trademark bullying” topic.
We haven’t always agreed with his trademark advice, especially his misapprehension of the benefits of federal registration. But, it’s hard to argue with this conclusion: “When a brand becomes a
It’s the Most Infringing Time of Every Two Years
–Sharon Armstrong, Attorney
It’s that time of every-two-years ….the Olympics are coming to a screen near you! Cue the torch, the John Williams theme, and the familiar ring of Bob Costas’ voice.
And with these familiar sights and sounds comes another regular accompaniment to the Olympics – trademark infringers. The Guardian reports that, near Olympic
Shaun White’s Trademark Move
— Karen Brennan, Attorney
Shaun White recently won gold in Vancouver in the halfpipe with a near-perfect score. At 23, this already his second Olympic games and his second gold metal in this event. Since 2002, he has also won 9 gold, 3 silver, 2 bronze medals in the X Games. Anyone who saw
An Ode to the Brand of Brands, the King of Cola: Coke
Dear Coke:
I love you. You are an incredible product. You are the Babe Ruth of soft drinks, the proprietor of the word “cola,” and most of all, the brand of all brands. Your brand is not just bulletproof; it’s indestructible—even from self-inflicted damage.
Interbrand, the global branding giant, recently valued you at
On Your Marks, Get Set, Let’s Go to Court!
With less than 6 months to go until the 21st Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver, trade mark enforcement activities are beginning to heat up.
In January, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) launched its global campaign against the Canadian seal hunt with a version of the Vancouver 2010 Inukshuk logo clubbing a seal