muggles, the term/trademark law (wandering OT)

[Amy Z]

No: HPFGUIDX 12755

Heidi, Head Witch of IP Law, wrote:

> No, you can trademark a  common "dictionary" word for goods & 
> services, especially if the word, as applied to the goods, is 
> arbitrary. It's like using the term APPLE for computers or RIO for 
> MP3 players - they're regular words, but mean nothing, other than 
the 
> brand name of the goods themselves. 

Gotcha.  But you can't then simply tell someone who produces, say, 
records, that they can't use the brand name Apple for *their* product. 
 Right?  (Sad to say, Apple Corps is now defunct as a record producer, 
so the point in this case is moot.)  I gather the rules have something 
to do with how closely related the products are?

Amy Z