Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

Sherman A1

(38,958 posts)
Fri Aug 24, 2018, 07:20 AM Aug 2018

LOL! Procter & Gamble wants to trademark LOL

This is stretching things just a bit too far in my opinion.

Procter & Gamble is reported to have applied to trademark acronyms that are common in text speak.

If successful, terms including "LOL" (Laugh Out Loud), "NBD" (No Big Deal) and even WTF (too rude to spell out here) could be used to market products.

The global household products company has applied to use the acronyms in soap, detergents and air fresheners.

P&G reportedly registered the trademark applications with the US Patent and Trademark Office in April.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-45289440
16 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
LOL! Procter & Gamble wants to trademark LOL (Original Post) Sherman A1 Aug 2018 OP
No Lawyer Here ProfessorGAC Aug 2018 #1
Not really. djg21 Aug 2018 #5
So are TIDE, DAWN, BOUNTY jberryhill Aug 2018 #8
You're Right. I Misspoke ProfessorGAC Aug 2018 #10
"at least not yet" jberryhill Aug 2018 #11
Yeah, I Just Looked That Up ProfessorGAC Aug 2018 #14
Heh jberryhill Aug 2018 #15
Elite Iron ProfessorGAC Aug 2018 #16
Paris Hilton tried to trademark the phrase "That's hot." DetlefK Aug 2018 #2
First office action from USPTO... CincyDem Aug 2018 #3
Russia has reportedly secured the trademark for "RDD*KPPA" Achilleaze Aug 2018 #4
I remember that Benedict Donald tried to trademark(?) "You're Fired" rurallib Aug 2018 #6
How does one use acronyms in soap, detergents and air fresheners? logosoco Aug 2018 #7
How does one use DAWN for dish soap? jberryhill Aug 2018 #9
Maybe LOL as 'Lots of Lather' ? Donkees Aug 2018 #13
It seems NBD already exists as a detergent Donkees Aug 2018 #12

ProfessorGAC

(64,425 posts)
1. No Lawyer Here
Fri Aug 24, 2018, 07:22 AM
Aug 2018

But, did take that type of biz law in grad school. I think they're doomed to failure on this as those are already in common parlance.

It will be like trademarking "Stop" and then asking for royalties on all the stop signs in the US.

 

djg21

(1,803 posts)
5. Not really.
Fri Aug 24, 2018, 07:53 AM
Aug 2018

The “marks” currently aren’t used to identify particular products in the minds of consumers. So they could perhaps be registered. The fact that the words are registered as marks doesn’t mean that the words cannot be used by others. Infringement occurs when the mark is used to identify a simiilar product or servic , so that the use can cause consumer confusion as to source or origin.

Search TESS for “stop” and you’ll see that there are a couple of trademarks registered already.

It’s not a big deal, and the marks don’t seem like they’d be very strong.

 

jberryhill

(62,444 posts)
8. So are TIDE, DAWN, BOUNTY
Fri Aug 24, 2018, 08:17 AM
Aug 2018

TIDE, DAWN, and BOUNTY are also P&G trademarks. They don’t collect a royalty every time the sea level changes, the sun comes up, or a fugitive is apprehended.

All common words, all trademarks for specific products.

ProfessorGAC

(64,425 posts)
10. You're Right. I Misspoke
Fri Aug 24, 2018, 08:35 AM
Aug 2018

But, in those cases, they were the first to use them directly assigned as a product name.

They aren't the first to use these terms in the public domain, and they're still not assigning them to product names, at least not yet.

 

jberryhill

(62,444 posts)
11. "at least not yet"
Fri Aug 24, 2018, 08:37 AM
Aug 2018

You can file for trademark registration on an “intent to use” basis. If the application is allowed, then the mark won’t actually register until you submit proof of use on the recited goods/services.

ProfessorGAC

(64,425 posts)
14. Yeah, I Just Looked That Up
Fri Aug 24, 2018, 10:33 AM
Aug 2018

I do see a problem, not legal but marketing, with promoting a brand called LOL.

Especially for a company that is currently re-structuring their marketing to go back to premium branding.

A higher priced, premium brand called "LOL"? Not sure that works.

Now, if they made a mouthwash called "STFU", i'd buy some for all the R members of Congress. (And Bruce Rauner.)

 

jberryhill

(62,444 posts)
15. Heh
Fri Aug 24, 2018, 10:46 AM
Aug 2018

Word Mark STFU
Goods and Services IC 013. US 002 009. G & S: Noise suppressors for guns; Silencers for firearms. FIRST USE: 20150731. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20150731
Standard Characters Claimed
Mark Drawing Code (4) STANDARD CHARACTER MARK
Serial Number 86740351
Filing Date August 28, 2015
Current Basis 1A
Original Filing Basis 1A
Published for Opposition January 19, 2016
Registration Number 4932276
Registration Date April 5, 2016
Owner (REGISTRANT) Elite Iron LLC LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY MONTANA 1345 Thunders Trail Potomac MONTANA 59823
Attorney of Record Glenn D. Bellamy
Type of Mark TRADEMARK
Register PRINCIPAL
Live/Dead Indicator LIVE

CincyDem

(6,283 posts)
3. First office action from USPTO...
Fri Aug 24, 2018, 07:34 AM
Aug 2018


In their initial response, the US Patent and Trademark Office examiner asked all the usual first office action stuff. Narrow the categories, how is it going to be used, blah blah, blah.

Last question, specifically...does LOL refer to the words "laugh out loud"?

It's surprising the seemingly common phrases that can be trademarked if you narrow the category of use enough (although at some point, it's so narrow the mark is worthless). That said, I think this one dies a swift death. Based on personal experience, I can confidently say "I can't believe these guys filed this...lol".

Achilleaze

(15,543 posts)
4. Russia has reportedly secured the trademark for "RDD*KPPA"
Fri Aug 24, 2018, 07:40 AM
Aug 2018

Republican Dirty Donny* Kisses Pooty Poot's Ass


* aka republican Draft-Dodger-in-Chief

logosoco

(3,208 posts)
7. How does one use acronyms in soap, detergents and air fresheners?
Fri Aug 24, 2018, 08:07 AM
Aug 2018

Do you open up the detergent box and it has little letters like the ones in alphabet soup? I have "chemical sensitivity", but I would try air freshener if it said "WTF" when i sprayed it!!!!!LOL

 

jberryhill

(62,444 posts)
9. How does one use DAWN for dish soap?
Fri Aug 24, 2018, 08:20 AM
Aug 2018

Does the sun come up when you do the dishes?

Does a farm animal come in a can marked “Red Bull”?


Donkees

(31,086 posts)
12. It seems NBD already exists as a detergent
Fri Aug 24, 2018, 08:45 AM
Aug 2018
eazy NBD is an effective non-caustic detergent designed for use in circumstances where caustic based cleaners cannot be used.

https://www.eazychem.co.uk/product/eazy-nbd/
Latest Discussions»General Discussion»LOL! Procter & Gamble wan...