What if trademark laws vanished?

Raven 08-09-2008

A trademark or trade mark (represented by the symbol ™ or ) or mark is a distinctive sign or indicator of some kind which is used by an individual, business organization or other legal entity to identify uniquely the source of its products and/or services to consumers, and to distinguish its products or services from those of other entities. A trademark is a type of intellectual property, and typically a name, word, phrase, logo, symbol, design, image, or a combination of these elements. There is also a range of non-conventional trademarks comprising marks which do not fall into these standard categories.

The owner of a registered trademark may commence legal proceedings for trademark infringement to prevent unauthorized use of that trademark. However, registration is not required. The owner of a common law trademark may also file suit, but an unregistered mark may be protectable only within the geographical area within which it has been used or in geographical areas into which it may be reasonably expected to expand.

The term trademark is also used informally to refer to any distinguishing attribute by which an individual is readily identified, such as the well known characteristics of celebrities. When a trademark is used in relation to services rather than products, it may sometimes be called a service mark, particularly in the United States.

What's your thoughts about it or its impact if it was to all vanish tommorrow?

Nina

Companies couldn't hike up pricess becuae of their name so there would be a prices drop for alot of things for starters.

Hsoolien

Because companies could no longer charge more for their product and be competitive their would be less innovation in what they make, also it would be come a crap shoot for consumers is the "insert brand name here" item actually theres? Made with higher quality control and better materials, or is it a knockoff branded as theirs that will disintegrate on the second or third wash. I agree many companies charge extra because it's "Their's" but there are times when you are paying for the higher craftsmanship and material costs.

Sunisa

I think alot of pricess would drop but people would have to take more time into going through what they actually a purchasing. And people are lazy by nature.

orange

that kind of reminded me of "Fony" and "Panafonics" from one of the Simposon's episodes

and you do sometimes see things like that on the market already.. at least more observant people are able to notice these little quirks and by the decent brands (unless they're complete tight-asses with their money).

lets just hope trademarks dont vanish.. copyright too for that matter!

hugo281

I agree I hope the trademarks and copyrights don't vanish cause then thing would be so diffcult when it comes to purchasing clothes, movies, music, etc. I think its about simplicity then lazyness cause it they vanish I would think that everything would be really difficult to choose something you like because you don't know if it will break down on you or tear up in the first few weeks depending on what that item is

Hsoolien

There are good reasons for the laws, problem is either a company is milking them for as much money as they can make off them, or people are so cheap they feel slighted no matter how fair the pricing.

hugo281

well if that's the case on one hand I would agree with that but on the other no so much because if you think about it, I don't think that there would be any more special offers or discounts anymore since there's not a single trademark when it comes to items in stores

Hsoolien

Since there would be no way if telling what you got actually was something worthwhile, special offers and discounts would likely just be on the shit that's sold dirt cheap as is. Honestly trademarks protect the users in as many ways as they protect the producer

hugo281

well not if those specials pertain to electronics dude, I also look for specials like buy a home theater system and get the HDMI cable for free or something along the lines like that

Hsoolien

For myself I'm generally just after a certain item of hardware, if it's on sale great, even if I have t wait a week or so, but otherwise, I am wary when they start giving away free shit to sell something

hugo281

oh yeah I am too dude, I always find the "what's the catch" on the fine print of the sale or free-for-all stuff

Hsoolien

Thee is usually a catch I find, whether it was a floor model, no longer manufactured (and often supported), or some other oddity, though sometimes they try to sell you one thing at manufacture price with something else they make more on at a reduced price.