October 13th, 2015, 6:37 pm
A funny publicity stunt for the artist. Easily challenged (though it would cost money) - highly unlikely that it would stand, particularly if he did nothing to build his "Pi" brand.Have a look here: Trademark Manual of Examining Procedure - July 2015"...If the mark contains a universal symbol, the examining attorney must determine whether the mark displays the symbol in the usual manner or otherwise features an accurate depiction of the symbol. This may be done by comparing the symbol in the mark with any accurate depictions of the symbol the examining attorney finds while researching the symbol.Generally, a universal symbol in a mark should be considered registrable matter if it is highly stylized, if it incorporates elements that are not usually in the symbol, or if it is integrated with other matter in the mark, and, as a result, a distinctive commercial impression separate and apart from the symbol's usual significance is created or a source-indicating unitary whole is formed..."That is not the case here - it does not have a distinctive font, coloration, background design, or any other unique characteristics. The period is not sufficient.The US PTO made a serious mistake in granting the trademark, but they don't have the last word. The IP system is definitely broken though - someone else patented a peanut butter and jelly sandwich not too long ago.However - just try to defend that patent! All of this legal research has made me hungry and I am going to infringe on it right now.For those of you who think I am joking... :DUS Patent 6004596 A - Sealed crustless sandwichABSTRACTA sealed crustless sandwich for providing a convenient sandwich without an outer crust which can be stored for long periods of time without a central filling from leaking outwardly. The sandwich includes a lower bread portion, an upper bread portion, an upper filling and a lower filling between the lower and upper bread portions, a center filling sealed between the upper and lower fillings, and a crimped edge along an outer perimeter of the bread portions for sealing the fillings therebetween. The upper and lower fillings are preferably comprised of peanut butter and the center filling is comprised of at least jelly. The center filling is prevented from radiating outwardly into and through the bread portions from the surrounding peanut butter.
Last edited by
trackstar on October 12th, 2015, 10:00 pm, edited 1 time in total.