Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®
Articles 1 - 2 of 2
Full-Text Articles in Law
Sunbeam Products, Inc. V. The West Bend Co.: Exposing The Malign Application Of The Federal Dilution Statute To Product Configurations, Paul J. Heald
Sunbeam Products, Inc. V. The West Bend Co.: Exposing The Malign Application Of The Federal Dilution Statute To Product Configurations, Paul J. Heald
Scholarly Works
Some judicial opinions lack persuasive authority because they are poorly written. Others establish dangerous precedent or enshrine pernicious attitudes into law. Still others twist the language of prior opinions or misuse legislative history. Although a focus on rhetorical structure, effect on society, or quality of legal reasoning is helpful in identifying what constitutes a very bad judicial opinion, this essay will instead expose the blander evils of indifference and inattentitveness. My “worst” opinion -- Sunbeam Products, Inc. v. The West Bend Co. -- will not have a catastrophic effect on American life and culture, but rather provides an important illustration …
Generic Trademarks, The Ftc And The Lanham Act: Covering The Market With Formica, David E. Shipley
Generic Trademarks, The Ftc And The Lanham Act: Covering The Market With Formica, David E. Shipley
Scholarly Works
This article focuses on the FTC's authority under section 14 of the Lanham Act to petition for the cancellation of a trademark on the ground that the mark has become "the common descriptive name of an article or substance" and, thus, generic. The FTC's recent decision to challenge Formica Corporation's FORMICA trademark manifests a shift in agency policy which is highly inappropriate and which could have damaging effects on consumers and industry. Competition and the public interest would be better served if the FTC did not exercise this discretionary power, leaving the issue of whether a trademark should be cancelled …