View Single Post
Old 10 September 2007, 04:24 AM   #1
astcell
"TRF" Member
 
astcell's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Real Name: Robert
Location: Angelus Oaks, CA
Watch: 116713
Posts: 6,828
Ford and Rolex can both use the name Explorer because they are not in competition with one another. A name like Explorer is just that, a word. Anyone can use a word. The name Beretta is not a word and it is a proper noun, the name of a person. But any word in the dictionary is available to anybody. Microsoft also has a product called Explorer and they do not have sole use of the word. But they do have sole use of the word Microsoft, just like Rolex has the use of the word Rolex.

If I recall my college studies properly, this came out because the Cadillac division of General Motors sued a dog food company that made Cadillac dog food. They lost. Cadillac is like the word Acme it means the peak therefore since cars and dog food are not in competition the name may be used.

That includes your trivia contest for the day. :-)
astcell is offline   Reply With Quote