"my Lawyer is also happy to speak with you"

Apparently "lawyer" is now a proper noun.

I've been informed that "LIVE WRONG verbaige in any font on anything" has been trademarked. Mmmm. Or at least a trademark application has been filed. I'm not sure what "verbaige" means but it does sound serious.

This for-profit Live Wrong effort (as oppose to the charity, humor, and subversion that's powered my project) just seems wrong. And stupid. And twice as expensive as I'd intended to sell them. And I suppose what I find most wrong is that the whole pitch lacks any sense of thoughtful humor and support for the coloring-outside-the-lines-folks that have been enthusiastic about my idea (most of whom I've never met) and have liked the notion of a totem for transgression and envelope pushing. This alternate scheme is just about making money and appealing to a "ha ha" culture that buys novelties at Spencers Gifts. And the brains behind this operation has also told me she plans on selling T-shirts. That's real clever. The apperature for humor here is in a subtle subversion of a mainstream meme, not in soon-to-be-failed attempt to create a brand. I'm miffed. I'll be talking to my lawyer and working to see if it makes sense to pursue this prank, but the concept is probably polluted.

Despite this crappy turn of events, pursuing this idea has rebooted the part of my brain dedicated to completely unproductive, wild ass ideas. That, at least, is a good thing.

Comments

[Rob]

Did they add this blurb after your communications with them?

Inquire about bulk order discounts or advertising. Dealer inquiries are welcomed. Please allow 4 weeks for delivery. Live Wrong and all its products are trademarked and for use exclusively by Live Wrong Inc. Live Wrong products are not associated with any charity functions or other similar products. Live Wrong Inc is strictly for the profit and the constant encouragement to pursued society to Live Wrong. Any use of our logo or products without permission is grounds for litigation, reimbursement for funds lost, and gives us the right to ridicule you or beat you to a pulp.

[mark]

I have no idea, I only know that this is lame. The whole notion of locking down Live Wrong is wrong. Duh.

[Joyce]

Jesus - that's lame. I guess it goes to prove there are no new ideas. Only better ways to package them - *poke poke* so you just need to wrap a better body part......
J

[Gary]

I own livewrong.com. The same folks that have been pestering Mark have been trying to pressure us into selling it to them. They don't understand even the basics of trademarking phrases. For instance, they don't realize that a given word / phrase can be trademarked for different purposes - for example, Excel is a spreadsheet and Excel is also a (now defunct) long distance phone company.

I agree that the notion of locking down Live Wrong is idiotic. It's a generic phrase / thought / state of mind.

/gary

[car accident lawyer west palm beach]

I think the whole idea and the case is not so good as it seems.

Joshua