Like, what do you Yanks think those SUVs of yours run on, eh?
Tinkerbell ass juice?

Pixar Animation vs Pixar Petroleum?

I see no consumer confusion whatsoever.

Theaetetus: Apos: Pixar Animation vs Pixar Petroleum?

I see no consumer confusion whatsoever.

So? (new window)

Point taken.

Theaetetus: Other intellectual-property lawyers realize that this is a fanciful, made-up word, and is a famous mark, widely known worldwide, and that this is therefore a case of trademark dilution, rather than classic "likelihood-of-confusion" infringement, and that Ms. Phares analysis is irrelevant at best.

So, what are the consequences of trademark dilution? Can Pixar sue over that, or do they only have a case if it's classical infringement?

rattchett: I understood that whether a trademark infringes upon the intellectual property rights of another is dependant upon whether there is a product sold or confusingly similar to the registered mark's product or service, for example if used in association with similar wares or services. In this case, I would think that the oil company may be fine in using Pixar.

The only problem I see is people are stupid, and if something happened on the pipeline, causing catastrophe, damage, etc. people would hear the name Pixar and associate it with that, thus hurting the good, positive, family-friendly branding of the name for the past however many years.

Further, break down most large companies and you'd be quite surprised to see how many seemingly dissimilar brands and products are grouped under one large company.

In that sense, I can see the objection, though I am not sure that it can withstand the test of law.

THAT said, World Wildlife Federation caused the World Wrestling Federation to change its name, and the odds of confusing those two were next to none.

bravian: Smeggy Smurf: They're just pissed off that an evil oil company is going to make more money per week than Cars 2 ever will

Cars 2 pulled in a half billion world wide. And Cars remains Pixars biggest money maker when you account for film receipts, toys, theme parks, dvd sales, etc. The Cars franchise just mints money.

/so the film doesn't appeal to you or I - but it does appeal to the Nascar crowd

Are you disputing that the oil company won't make half a billion in a week?

bravian: Cars 2 pulled in a half billion world wide. And Cars remains Pixars biggest money maker when you account for film receipts, toys, theme parks, dvd sales, etc. The Cars franchise just mints money.

/so the film doesn't appeal to you or I - but it does appeal to the Nascar crowd 3 to 5 year olds

Consider that for YEARS after Cars came out, stores still had trouble keeping the cars in stock.

beta_plus: Wasn't the whole point of the name Exxon replacing ESSO/SO/Standard Oil was than the word Exxon literally means nothing in any language? Pretty sure the word Pixar doesn't mean anything or existed before Steve Jobs bought it. Seems like copyright laws need to be updated so that when you make a word that is complete gibberish as your brand (Accenture and countless perscription drugs come to mind), you're the only who gets to use it.

/For those who hate big evil corporations, for whom do you root?
//Mickey The Rat or Big Canadian Oil?

I'm rooting against monopolies. IP laws should only be as strong as minimally necessary in order to accomplish what they are intended to do.

Owning a monopoly on a word is absurd.

I make these amazing soft drapes for doll house windows.

/MicroSoft for Windows

For those who don't seem to get it, here's a bit from an IP outline I used at a lecture at a local anime con.

Dilution : Gives the owner of a famous or iconic trademark standing to forbid others from using that mark in a way that would lessen its uniqueness.

1) Used in cases where the goods and services of the marks in question have little relation.
For non famous marks, the criteria is likelihood of confusion

2) General criteria for the mark:
a) Distinctive
b) Famous
c) Unique

3) Not applicable to surnames like Ford or Zamboni


/Too bad fark doesn't seem to support lists.

Don't fark with the Mouse.

Since oil and animation are different enough to avoid "confusion" or "dilution" or perhaps "conlution," I look forward to making a shiat-ton of money selling Fark™ brand condoms, macaroni and cheese, playing cards, diapers, dictionaries, laundry detergent, and pesticide.

/not all in the same package
//would make the mac and cheese taste like Kraft

Buzzerguy: Since oil and animation are different enough to avoid "confusion" or "dilution" or perhaps "conlution,"

Nice job missing the point.

Confusion is when the products are similar.
Dilution is when the products are unrelated, but the mark involved is famous.