We know it’s hard to keep up with all of the stories about trademarks and brands, so here’s a few stories we thought you’d find an interesting read:
What’s Aunt Jemima Got to Do With Trademark Law?
Mental_floss writes an interesting post about how the Aunt Jemima brand changed U.S. trademark law. What’s known as the “Aunt Jemima Doctrine” states that a trademark is protectable not only from an act of copying, but also from the use of any similar mark that would likely make the buyer think that the item bearing the similar mark comes from the same source as the trademarked item.
The Run-Up to the London 2012 Olympic Games
We’ve linked before to the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games Brand Protection Guidelines. Now you can read about some of the most recent enforcement activity underway as we count down to the Opening Ceremony on July 27. Apparently, you won’t be seeing sausage links in the shape of the Olympic rings!
Everything Old is New Again: Is This a Trend in Automobile Names?
First, Nissan announced the return of the Datsun brand name, now U.S. car maker General Motors has registered trademarks for Electra, the Buick model that made its debut in 1959 and ended its run in 1990. Do you think there will be a new Electra in the near future or is GM protecting the names of its historic brands?
How a Brand Manages Dueling Audiences
Eyewear maker Warby Parker balances two very different audiences. Big Spaceship shares some key learnings for brand owners dealing with this challenge.
What was your favorite story about trademarks or brands this week?
