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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsLOL! 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
ProfessorGAC
(64,425 posts)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)The marks currently arent 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 doesnt 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 youll see that there are a couple of trademarks registered already.
Its not a big deal, and the marks dont seem like theyd be very strong.
jberryhill
(62,444 posts)TIDE, DAWN, and BOUNTY are also P&G trademarks. They dont 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)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)You can file for trademark registration on an intent to use basis. If the application is allowed, then the mark wont actually register until you submit proof of use on the recited goods/services.
ProfessorGAC
(64,425 posts)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)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
ProfessorGAC
(64,425 posts)As in STFU or i'll hit you with an ingot!
DetlefK
(16,423 posts)Guess how it went.
CincyDem
(6,283 posts)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)Republican Dirty Donny* Kisses Pooty Poot's Ass
* aka republican Draft-Dodger-in-Chief
rurallib
(62,346 posts)got laughed out of court.
logosoco
(3,208 posts)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)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)Donkees
(31,086 posts)https://www.eazychem.co.uk/product/eazy-nbd/