Tuesday, April 12, 2005

Why is junk email called Spam?

And why aren't there trademark issues? Generic adhesive strips can't be called bandaids. Generic cotton swabs can't be called Qtips. Generic in-line skates can't be called Rollerblades. So why are so many companies allowed to use the term Spam?

Spam, of course, is that delicious meat product manufactured by the Hormel corporation.

3 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

Ah, but moving stairs are called escalators and closets that lift people and cargo from floor to floor are called elevators. The same is true for aspirin and thermos. Trademarks are lost if they are not defended.

In addition, there is no trademark infringement if there is no possibility of consumer confusion. No one really thinks Hormel's tasty luncheon meat is polluting their Inbox. Apple Computer may own the Apple trademark, but that doesn't mean that growers of Red Delicious have to name their product something else.

There could be an argument for trademark dilution, but it's Hormel's responsibility to pursue it.

Love, Your Favorite Sister-in-Law :-)

3:35 PM  
Blogger Rustam Sheridan said...

Yay, my favorite sister-in-law! I miss her! And her husband and kids, too.

4:03 PM  
Blogger Ogre said...

Good point, Sister-in-law.

Oh yes, and mmmMMMMmmmm...Spam!

7:15 PM  

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