[pp.int.general] trademarks

[Christian Hufgard]

Richard Stallman wrote:
> Trademark law, when applied to names and logos, does not create a
> scarcity of goods -- only of labels.  Fools who desperately want the
> label of "Rolex" on a watch would have to pay extra for that, but do
> we care?

I'm loving it... :)

If I'd the idea to buy a ROLEX, I'd visit a dealer I trust. Just because
there is a brand name attached to a product, no law guarants, that there
is that product inside.

> When trademark law applies to the shape and appearance of goods,
> it can create a scarcity of goods with that shape and appearance.
> 
> So perhaps trademark law should only apply to names and logos.

Names and logos aren't less dangerous. The last well known cause in
germany was Jack Wolfskin
(http://www.jack-wolfskin.com/desktopdefault.aspx). They tried to sue
various people for selling stuff with an paw on it.

Intel sued various people for using the word "inside", and remember the
company that tries to own the "I"? German Telekom won several cases for
the color magenta.

Trademarks are very easy to be used against competitors, and they do not
provide a real benefit. Betraying a consumer is illegal, trademarks do
not offer any protection agaist that.

Christian