'TIS THE SEASON...

Happy Holidays to you and yours from TrademarkEsq.com !

http://www.TrademarkEsq.com

During this holiday season some very popular brands and/or trademarks seem to raise their profile and draw the interest of consumers. This blog entry today will mention just a few of these brands in terms of their commercial impression, including their internet presence, as well as their trademark significance. No doubt these comments may also conjure up fond memories for the reader-consumer.

For example:

A. CHOCOLATE AND COOKIES:

Be sure to check out the following Wikipedia entries which are interesting:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dark_Chocolate

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cookie_monster


1. SEE'S CANDIE'S http://www.Sees.com

Comment: Certainly a staple in California and craved all over the U.S. and beyond. Nuts & Chews are my favorite. Even Amazon.com seems to agree:

http://www.amazon.com/Sees-Candies-lb-Nuts-Chews/dp/B0000CH39W

Trademark Highlight: Among numerous other registrations is the registration for
SEE'S CANDIES, Intl. Class #30 for 'candy'; Reg. No. 1518181.

2. MRS. FIELDS http://www.MrsFields.com

Comment: This year's slogan at Mrs. Fields is "Taste the Joy of Giving !" I had the opportunity, interestingly, of tasting the joy of receiving, after having found myself the recipient of a big box of Mrs. Fields cookies ! WOW !!!!!

Trademark Highlight: Among many other U.S. Trademark Registrations is the registration for: MRS. FIELDS, Intl. Class #30 for 'bakery goods, namely cookies and brownies'; Reg. No. 1983184.

B. SKI RESORTS AND SKI/SNOWBOARD EQUIPMENT:

1. VAIL

Comment: One of America's grandest winter resorts is Vail in Colorado with Beaver Creek also nearby.

On the Web:

http://www.vailresorts.com/index_nf.cfm

Trademark Highlight: One U.S. Registration worthy of mention is the service mark for VAIL RESORTS, Class #35 for 'Management and operation of recreational facilities for others'; and Class #41 for 'Ski resort services; arranging competitions in the filed of ski racing, providing instruction in the field of skiing, etc.'; Reg. No. 2695373.

2. WHISTLER

Comment: Or if you prefer, and with the early heavy snowfall they received, some people are making plans to travel to British Columbia in Canada to visit the Whistler Blackcomb ski resort.

On the Web:

http://www.whistlerblackcomb.com/index.htm

Trademark Highlight: In addition to other registrations, the sample chosen here is for a trademark for apparel owned by the Resort entity, namely, Blackcomb Skiing Enterprises, a Limited Partnership composed of Intrawest Resort Corporation / Corporation de Villegiature Intrawest, a Canada corporation, collectively a LIMITED PARTNERSHIP of CANADA , for the mark, WHISTLER CANADA HIGHER GROUND, in Class #25 for 'Men's, women's and children's clothing, namely, shorts, blouses, tee-shirts, sweatshirts, ski jackets, snowboard jackets, track suits, jackets, golf shirts, vests and hats'; Reg. No. 2568781.

3. K2

Comment: K2 seems to have it all: skis, snowboards, helmets, goggles, apparel, etc. A friend of mine swears by his K2 Apache Recon shaped all mountain skis ! I'm partial to my Salomon XScreams, also a shaped all mountain pair of skis.

On the Web:

http://www.k2sports.com/

http://www.k2snowboards.com/default.asp?Lang=English

Trademark Highlight: Among many others, registered in the U.S. is the trademark, K2, in Intl. Class 28 for 'sports equipment namely, snow skis, ski poles, snowboards, snowboard bindings, in-line skates, knee pads, wrist pads and elbow pads, all for athletic use and protective gloves for skating'; Reg. No. 3096393.

4. BURTON

Comment: One of the very first snowboards ever, if not the very first. There are competing claims on this topic. Whatever the case, Burton's apparel is top quality and its snowboards and boots are cutting edge and definitely favored by a huge fan/rider base. A friend of mine recently tried out next season's ('07/'08) gear at a private demo for dealers in Vail, Colorado. Mum's the word, however, on these next season offerings...

On the Web:

http://www.burton.com/default.aspx

Trademark Highlight: Among numerous registrations is the trademark, BURTON SNOWBOARDS, in Intl. Class #28 for 'SNOWBOARDS - NAMELY, SINGLE SKIS IN THE NATURE OF SURFBOARDS TO BE USED IN SNOW'; Reg. No. 1362128.

C. CONCLUSION:

The holidays are most importantly a time to enjoy the company of family and friends. In our society it is also nevertheless nearly impossible to not notice or purchase or enjoy the products and services exemplified by the above brands and/or trademarks.

These brands and the comments above also make it clear that brands and their corresponding trademark or service mark registrations are part and parcel to the success of the owners of said marks. This lesson of proprietary rights acquisition, maintenance and defense is certainly worth remembering and implementing by anyone doing business within our society's commercial landscape.

While I neglected to discuss Starbucks Eggnog Latte,

http://www.egg-nog.info/Egg_Nog_Latte_Recipe.html

which belongs on any Top Ten List of Holiday Favorites, I will leave that to each of you to enjoy on your own time.