Lexus Gets Into The Video Hosting Business...?
from the apparently dept
So, we were a little confused recently when Toyota sued a nude model for using the name Alexus, as it seemed difficult to believe there would be any "confusion" between the two. However, who knew that Lexus was getting into the entertainment business? We've talked in the past about BMW's famous BMW Films effort, as an example of how the future of advertising needs to recognize the blurring lines between content and advertising. In BMW's case, each film was directed by a famous filmmaker, starred actor Clive Owen, and included a BMW that tended to act as something of a co-star. The films were entertaining as pure content, rather than as traditional advertising.
Since then, we've seen plenty of other companies try similar things, with varying degrees of success. For example, the recent set of Microsoft ads involving Jerry Seinfeld and Bill Gates received a very mixed reaction -- in part because people expected them to be like traditional ads, pitching a specific product, rather than creating a story line that was entertaining in its own right.
Now, one of our readers, William Jackson, points us to an experiment apparently by the car company, Lexus (a part of Toyota). It's called L Studio, and appears to be something of a web video platform, showing a bunch of professionally produced videos. As Jackson notes, some of them do involve a Lexus, such as this documentary about an artist creating a piece of artwork out of a Lexus:
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So, we were a little confused recently when Toyota sued a nude model for using the name Alexus, as it seemed difficult to believe there would be any "confusion" between the two. However, who knew that Lexus was getting into the entertainment business?
I still don't see what difference it makes. Alexus makes pornography. Lexus makes cars. Even if Lexus also is a video site, she's still just making pornography.
Where Lexus to be the name of a girl who makes pornography, then I could see the grounds for suing Alexus.
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Alexus
Alexus should have used product placement, shooting porn in the backseat...of a Lexus, of course. Problem solved, and new market penetration for Lexus.
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New market penetration????................ hmmmmmmmmm
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Re:
I still don't see what difference it makes.
It doesn't. It was just a weak attempt at a joke... Apparently, too weak. :)
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Im curious
Doesnt Toyota only use the Lexus name in the Unites States, like Honda with Acura?
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trademark law
In trademark law a famous trademark casts a "long shadow" and juniors should stay clear of those rights. However, I really doubt porn is in the shadow of an automaker. Further, a search of Google gives 2,420,000 for Alexus; lots of third parties.
Thoughts,
Michael Kassing
MarkTend.com
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Re: Im curious
Actually, Toyota uses the Lexus name in Australia too.
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