Happy Birthday Has Been Trademarked

from the brilliant dept

Andreas writes "A Chinese company has trademarked "Happy birthday". The article says that 'The words "happy birthday" can no longer be legally used if the words are pinned to any other products, since a private Chinese company registered it as its trademark this month in 25 countries including the United States, Japan and European Union members.'" Of course, the song Happy Birthday is a fiercely guarded copyright already, so why not a trademark as well? It's hard to see how this one would stand up, but stranger things have happened.

5 Comments | Leave a Comment..


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  1.  

    嘩!英雄!

    identicon
    dorpus, Oct 17th, 2004 @ 10:49pm

    え?おい!

    reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  2.  

    No Subject Given

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    Anonymous Coward, Oct 18th, 2004 @ 9:08am

    This is not new - for e.g., Mattel registered HAPPY BIRTHDAY for dolls in 1976.

    reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  3.  

    No Subject Given

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    Anonymous Coward, Oct 18th, 2004 @ 2:35pm

    "Freedom" is also a trademarked word.

    reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  4.  

    No Subject Given

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    Anonymous Coward, Oct 19th, 2004 @ 12:43am

    Happy Birthday!

    reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  5.  

    Happy Friggin Birthday

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    chris, Mar 6th, 2007 @ 11:06am

    Is it legal that way? This is rediculous and pathetic. I think I will trademark all vowels and consanents, or any sound that a human can make... as well as black and white.. so anytime anything is written, or spoke, or farted, someone will have to pay me.. Thanks for the great ideas..

    PATHETIC !!!! Trademark my ass...

    Happy Birthday flippin idiots

    reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]


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