The classic example in my life is a tiny, vegetarian, home-made quick lunch
stand serving a neighborhood for many years in Santa Cruz, CA, called
"McDharma's".  Guess who sued this tiny, two-person operation for name
infringement? Yep, McDonalds. Pulled out all their big lawyers and claimed
it would confuse their customers who might mistake the gently run,
beards-and-sandals, one-customer-at-a-time, health conscious operation for
what they really wanted-- a tasteless and greasy Big Mac.

McDharma's lost, of course, so they came home and painted a circle with a
slash through it over the Mc in their name!  As far as I know neither party
lost any business over this.

I know this isn't museum business, but isn't life fun?

Micki



-----Original Message-----
From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On
Behalf Of James Schulte
Sent: Wednesday, March 16, 2005 12:02 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Copyright and plagiarism


good point John I have no answer. I remember once around here a company
named Bawa had to change their name because the Wawa convenience stores said
it infringed on them.
----- Original Message -----
From: "John Martinson" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Wednesday, March 16, 2005 10:09 AM
Subject: Re: Copyright and plagiarism


I was on a job once and received a notice that we were using "pioneer
village" in our
website, and title of our village.  In fact, it was the "XX pioneer
village".  With our name in the front "pioneer village" it separated us from
the organization that was protesting us using the title/name "pioneer
village".

I noticed with your reference that copyright does not apply to:
Ideas
Titles
Names
Short phrases
Works in the public domain
Mere facts
Logos and slogans (although protected by trademark)
Blank forms that only collect information rather than provide information.
URL'S (i.e., a link to a web site

Every early historic towns in the west were all "pioneer villages"  * so how
can common use names be copyrighted?  It is like copyrighting' "salt and
pepper" or "bathroom".  Any feelings?

John Martinson

>>> [log in to unmask] 3/16/2005 7:32:13 AM >>>
A few months ago, yes I procrstinate, we had a long discussion on the above
topic. IN the new Technology and learning magazine they adressed this topic
so I thought I would share the websites they suggest in adressing the above
topics. By the way did anyone else recently vote for Woodrow wilson for
President?

Letter to the copyright owner requesting permission to copy:
www.umuc/edu/library/sample.html

Copyright and Schools:
www.dese.state.mo.us/divimprove/curriculum/copyright/index.htm

Copyright Bay:
www.stfrancis.edu/cid/copyrightbay/

<snip>

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