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.
Reader Comments (rss)
(Flattened / Threaded)
嘩！英雄！ by dorpus on Oct 17th, 2004 @ 10:49pm
え？おい！
(reply to this comment) (link to this comment)
No Subject Given by Anonymous Coward on Oct 18th, 2004 @ 9:08am
This is not new - for e.g., Mattel registered HAPPY BIRTHDAY for dolls in 1976.
(reply to this comment) (link to this comment)
No Subject Given by Anonymous Coward on Oct 18th, 2004 @ 2:35pm
"Freedom" is also a trademarked word.
(reply to this comment) (link to this comment)
No Subject Given by Anonymous Coward on Oct 19th, 2004 @ 12:43am
Happy Birthday!
(reply to this comment) (link to this comment)
Happy Friggin Birthday by chris on 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 comment) (link to this comment)
Add Your Comment