Re: Sci-Fi becomes Syfy
Quote:
| What other "untrademarkable" names will be changing |
I think you misunderstood. Nothing that isn't already trademarked is "untrademarkable". The limitation on trademarks is that they are only protected
in the business context to which the trademark applies. Thus Walmart could trademark "Always" to promote its "Always low prices" claim in the context of advertising and promoting a retail sales business in the United States and Donald Trump could trademark the phrase "You're Fired!" in the context of TV reality shows and associated promotional merchandise. But that doesn't mean they "own" the words, or that someone
else couldn't trademark one or both for use in a wholly unrelated contexts.
(Although I suppose the question might then arise of confusion of dilution of the trademark. IANAL, much less an IP attorney, but I have done a little reading in the field. This leads me to suspect that if I want to use "Always" to promote my toothpaste that "Always gives you whiter teeth", Walmart might reasonably object on the ground that consumers might assume that Walmart either makes or endorses the toothpaste, given that they sell toothpaste and are closely associated with "Always" in consumer goods advertising. But if I want to use "Always" to promote my new jackhammer that "Always tears up your sidewalk", Walmart probably probably wouldn't care and almost certainly wouldn't have a case if they tried to claim trademark infringement.)
So there is no
need for SFC to change its name. It is, as I suggested, more about branding.
I'm not saying it is a good idea (but then, I always hated "the Sci-Fi Channel" and the term "Sci-Fi" itself. Forry Ackerman did much to promote and preserve the heritage of the fantasy genre, broadly understood (which includes SF and supernatural horror), but his record is decidely mixed. Coining that hideous term in imitation of the equally inane "hi-fi" is definitely an act that goes onto the debit side of the ledger.
Regards,
Joe
