"U.S. Civil Air Patrol" too big?

Started by RiverAux, June 15, 2007, 08:40:43 PM

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RiverAux

Has anyone seen one of the new U.S. Civil Air Patrol tapes on a BDU or BBDU yet?  I'm hearing that there because of the additional letters that the tapes extend past the edges of the pockets, making them look pretty silly.  In looking at my own BDU it seems as if it would be a very tight fit, but would work.  Any personal experiences?

IceNine

I have seen it it is indeed VERY tight fit with the letters filling up most of the space above the pocket, and of course it looks silly, we're trying to fit 10 gallons of poo in a 5 gallon bucket
"All of the true things that I am about to tell you are shameless lies"

Book of Bokonon
Chapter 4

mdickinson

No, it's not too big.

I wear a size small BDU blouse, and sewed three of the new "U.S. Civil Air Patrol" tapes on just last week.

The new tape fits the top of the pocket. Just barely, but it fits.

Ricochet13

Quote from: mdickinson on June 15, 2007, 08:49:31 PM
I wear a size small BDU blouse, and sewed three of the new "U.S. Civil Air Patrol" tapes on just last week.
The new tape fits the top of the pocket. Just barely, but it fits.

You're lucky.  I just had a seamstress sew tapes on size XL.
 
On the BBDU the "U.S.Civil Air Patrol" lettering extends the full width of the pocket.  As the tape and uniform are blue, the 1/8 in border that extends beyond the pocket edge probably won't be noticeable.

On the Woodland Camouflage BDU the lettering fits a little better, but the tape extends about 1/16th of an inch past the edges of the pocket.

I have one more set of BDU's with "Civil Air Patrol".  Haven't changed tapes on that set yet.  Will probably wear until I figure out something with the others. 

The BDU's, whether Woodland or Blue, are after all "work" uniforms, so if I work hard all the time when wearing them, hopefully I won't stand still long enough for anyone to notice ;D.

O-Rex

I have my own unnamed source, but for now I might just buy the 'branch tapes' from Vanguard to be on the safe side (assuming they work)

The nametapes you all are discussing are from Vanguard, right?

Ricochet13

Quote from: O-Rex on June 15, 2007, 09:22:33 PM
I have my own unnamed source, but for now I might just buy the 'branch tapes' from Vanguard to be on the safe side (assuming they work)

The nametapes you all are discussing are from Vanguard, right?

Yes, purchased from Vanguard.  Actually got 36 of them.  Thought I would give at least one each to new members.  Kind of a welcome to the squadron type of thing.  At least we'll all be "uniform". ;) 

mikeylikey

^^  If anyone finds some letter "overhang" send the crap back to Vanguard!  Please don't be the first person I see to wear a tape that extends over the sides of the pocket!  Not sure what will happen......but it will NOT be an AWESOME outcome!
What's up monkeys?

Ricochet13

Quote from: mikeylikey on June 15, 2007, 10:15:12 PM
^^  If anyone finds some letter "overhang" send the crap back to Vanguard!  Please don't be the first person I see to wear a tape that extends over the sides of the pocket!  Not sure what will happen......but it will NOT be an AWESOME outcome!

I hope you don't feel the need to "lock heels" of some cadet who tried to do their best.
Nah . . . I trust you on that.  ;)

Ricochet13

And . . . while feeling inspired by mikeylikey's encouragement . . . I'll make a call to Vanguard Monday morning and report back on the suggestion of returning tapes for replacement.

Ricochet13

Just a follow-up . . . East Coast office of Vanguard was closed by the time I called today (Friday).  Called West Coast office, but all CAP uniforms are handled through East Coast office, so will have to wait for Monday.  Stay tuned! :)

IceNine

"All of the true things that I am about to tell you are shameless lies"

Book of Bokonon
Chapter 4

Ricochet13

Just for the record . . . not going to give anyone "hell".  ;D

I've found that most of the time "the quieter you talk, the better people listen". 

And, although I've "locked heels" and handed out less than "awesome outcomes" when I was younger and just learning to lead, I found the solution tends to be short term and doesn't build the lasting relationships that help everyone end up a winner. 




IceNine

ok, then have fun dealing with the most customer service oriented business I have ever dealt with
"All of the true things that I am about to tell you are shameless lies"

Book of Bokonon
Chapter 4

MIKE

I have CIVIL AIR PATROL tapes I got from the Hock that don't fit within the pocket width... That's without the U.S.  I also have tapes that I got form 1800nametapes that fit with plenty of room to spare (Can't sell them anymore though unfortunately.  >:( )... Also sans U.S.  These ones even fit better than the ones the Bookstore sold in the pre-CAPMart daze.
Mike Johnston

MIKE

Quote from: O-Rex on June 15, 2007, 09:22:33 PM
I have my own unnamed source, but for now I might just buy the 'branch tapes' from Vanguard to be on the safe side (assuming they work)

The first rule of Fight Club:  We don't talk about Fight Club;)
Mike Johnston

SDF_Specialist

I just recently got the USCAP tapes, and they seem to fit fine on my BDU's. I'm wondering if there is a variety of letter sizes floating throughout the Vanguard warehouse. There have been times when I've ordered one thing, then had to order it again, but got a different size. Just a thought.
SDF_Specialist

SJFedor

Quote from: MIKE on June 15, 2007, 11:52:40 PM
I have CIVIL AIR PATROL tapes I got from the Hock that don't fit within the pocket width... That's without the U.S.  I also have tapes that I got form 1800nametapes that fit with plenty of room to spare (Can't sell them anymore though unfortunately.  >:( )... Also sans U.S.  These ones even fit better than the ones the Bookstore sold in the pre-CAPMart daze.


Waaaait a second!!!

CAP was sending out C&D because they own the rights to "Civil Air Patrol", they don't have any ownership of rights on the term "US Civil Air Patrol", at least, I haven't seen it in public law or the USC yet.

Therefore, 1800nametapes should be back in business for us!!!

Steven Fedor, NREMT-P
Master Ambulance Driver
Former Capt, MP, MCPE, MO, MS, GTL, and various other 3-and-4 letter combinations
NESA MAS Instructor, 2008-2010 (#479)

mikeylikey

What's up monkeys?

RiverAux

Uh, except for the part of the name tapes that say "Civil Air Patrol" on it...CAP still has all the rights to it, just none to "U.S."

Eclipse

Quote from: RiverAux on June 17, 2007, 02:13:58 PM
Uh, except for the part of the name tapes that say "Civil Air Patrol" on it...CAP still has all the rights to it, just none to "U.S."

The Civil Air Patrol, does not, and cannot own the rights to common terms such as "civil", "air", and "patrol".

The only thing they potentially own the rights to are insignia which are unique to CAP and not used in other services. Even this is iffy at best, because an argument could be made that they were created using public funds, etc., etc.,

Its simply not worth the hassle and expense to fight a case like this when the dollars made are probably very small, and there are ways to conduct the same business if you are creative.

"That Others May Zoom"

RiverAux

Put those three words together in that order and CAP owns all rights.  I suppose that someone might be able to get away with using Civil Patrol of the Air as the name of their organization, but thats about it. 

SJFedor

they own Civil Air Patrol, not US Civil Air Patrol. Otherwise, why are we designating ourselves as the US CAP? Because there's others, and I'm sure CAP isn't sending THEM C&D orders.

The argument could easily be made that the USC says they own the rights to "Civil Air Patrol", not "US Civil Air Patrol" It's a totally different name.

Steven Fedor, NREMT-P
Master Ambulance Driver
Former Capt, MP, MCPE, MO, MS, GTL, and various other 3-and-4 letter combinations
NESA MAS Instructor, 2008-2010 (#479)

Eclipse

#22
Quote from: RiverAux on June 17, 2007, 04:21:36 PM
Put those three words together in that order and CAP owns all rights.  I suppose that someone might be able to get away with using Civil Patrol of the Air as the name of their organization, but thats about it. 
As I said, would take a court to decide, and not worth it, though CAP >would< have to show damages in order to actually recieve an award, and I'm not sure how much "damage"  is caused when a not-for-profit makes no profit and another company provides its members a better service (i.e. faster / cheaper).

Also, I believe that in order to actually protect the name as an entity, it would have to be a registered trademark, as in "Civil Air PatrolTM", anyone know if it is?  Can it be, considering this is not a business (though it is a corporation)?

Why NHQ doesn't just partner with these guys is beyond me.  It has to be about the money, because its sure not about the service.

"That Others May Zoom"

RiverAux

#23
Imagine that someone wanted to sell a shirt with "F..K the Civil Air Patrol" on it.  Under SJ's line of reasoning that would be ok because the words "Civil Air Patrol" were part of a larger sentence.  I'm fairly sure thats not how it works. 

If adding US to Civil Air Patrol was all it took to be able to sell the tapes 1800 probably would have done it.  Imagine selling a tape that said S___Civil Air Patrol (with the dash representing blank spaces.  Then the CAP member would just cut off the S and sew it on the uniform and 1800 probably still would have made money even with the wasted letter and excess material.

CAP was given exclusive rights to "Civil Air Patrol" in federal law which is more than good enough.  No further registration necessary. 

mikeylikey

^^  Umm......under the bill of rights I can make that T-shirt and wear it without fear of retribution by a corporation! 

I can also manufacture "U.S. Civil Air Patrol" nametapes and sell them to anyone I wish......that is until the CAP Corporate lawyer files for name and material trademark registration of said "U.S. Civil Air Patrol". 

CAP CORPORATION OWNS "Civil Air Patrol", they do not own "U.S. Civil Air Patrol" (yet). 

If we really want to get technical, since there are other CAP's in other countries I can create a website that manufactures the same "Civil Air Patrol" tapes that we have now.......sell them to whomever I wish and be justified to do so as long as I get at least one individual to order from my site that is a member of another countires CAP.  CAP NHQ will send me a C&D letter......but it will not hold up in court as I can truthfully say.....I was selling to CAP in another country.......not my fault that I also received orders from the United States CAP members. Then....the only option for CAP NHQ would be to prohibit it's members in the U.S. from buying from my website.

If we really want the "hot and heavy" of the situation we can challenge the legality of the ownership of the name "Civil Air Patrol" as it was a phrase coined to identify a group of individuals first and not a corporation until years later.  However.....that costs money and time and may not be worth it. 

What's up monkeys?

RiverAux

Federal law:
Quote§ 40306. Exclusive right to name, insignia, copyrights, emblems, badges, marks, and words

The corporation has the exclusive right to use the name "Civil Air Patrol" and all insignia, copyrights, emblems, badges, descriptive or designating marks, words, and phrases the corporation adopts. This section does not affect any vested rights.
Notice it gives CAP rights to the name and words, not just insignia, badges, etc. 

Eclipse

Quote from: RiverAux on June 17, 2007, 06:49:53 PM
Federal law:
Quote§ 40306. Exclusive right to name, insignia, copyrights, emblems, badges, marks, and words

The corporation has the exclusive right to use the name "Civil Air Patrol" and all insignia, copyrights, emblems, badges, descriptive or designating marks, words, and phrases the corporation adopts. This section does not affect any vested rights.
Notice it gives CAP rights to the name and words, not just insignia, badges, etc. 

Yes, so the local cert team can't say they are civil air patrol, but is a 3rd party "using the name" when they are making tapes for people authorized to use the name?

I'm sure the USAF, and the other services all have exclusive use, in theory, though its functionally unenforceable at this point.

Again, not worth challenging in court, but would likely be struck down.

They should just license the stuff and be done with it. 

Its also interesting to note that there are a number of 3rd parties who ignored the C&D's and the tiger was found to be paper.

"That Others May Zoom"

SARMedTech

I think the biggest issue here is: Who the h*** cares? Other than it being CAP playing the name game, it really makes absolutely no difference. It doesnt affect the job we do, how we train or any of the programs we offer. The real litmus test here is the question of whether anyone is going to quit the organization because the new tapes say "U S Civil Air Patrol. This whole thing really seems to be a spin-off of people's personal feelings about Maj Gen Pineda than anything else. If you just bought a new set of BDUs, and put the old tape on, is it really that big of a deal to take a seam ripper, pull it off and put the new tape on? Come on folks...lets worry about bigger things like more funding so that members dont have to go broke to volunteer, state of the art equipment and true issues of ethics that may be a problem within the organization. As a groundpounder, my concerns run more to things like being the best SAR team member I can be, honing my skills and serving my community and my country
"Corpsman Up!"

"...The distinct possibility of dying slow, cold and alone...but you also get the chance to save lives, and there is no greater calling in the world than that."

Nick Critelli

Quote from: SARMedTech on June 17, 2007, 09:58:32 PM
I think the biggest issue here is: Who the h*** cares? Other than it being CAP playing the name game, it really makes absolutely no difference.

It make a huge difference.  There are two types of ES/DR responders: governmental and private. Which side of the line do you want to be on? Do you want to join the Boy Scouts, local amateur radio club, equestrian club, dive team, AOPA club? Is that how you view CAP?  Or are you a quasi governmental entity, that has governmental oversight and is trained to professional standards? Since HSPD-5 and HSPD-8 which do you think state and local government will rely upon? Do you think they incur more or less legal liability if they use a private organization?

Things changed drastically after 9-11. HSPD-5 and 8 changed the whole response paradigm.

And for those of you that still think CAP is a private, volunteer, non-profit benevolent organization...that mantra worked well and was true before October 2000. Then the law changed. We are the ONLY Title 36 federal corporation whose board is appointed by the government itself (SECAF).

Our governing board is appointed by the federal government, our funding comes from the federal government and the federal government regulates and oversees us. That makes us what is known in legal academic circles as a quango or quasi governmental organization.

Use the U.S. Civil Air Patrol tag and wear it with pride. You're NOT just a private club.  With all that governmental oversight comes the right to wear the tag. And you just might find that you'll get called out more often.

RiverAux

QuoteWe are the ONLY Title 36 federal corporation whose board is appointed by the government itself (SECAF).

Well, the wording is a little confusing to me, but it looks like the governing body of the USO, also a title 36 corporation has members appointed by the President and the Secretary of State.  Also, the Help America Vote Foundation has members appointed by the President and members of Congress.  And, of course the Red Cross. 

SarDragon

Quote from: EclipseAlso, I believe that in order to actually protect the name as an entity, it would have to be a registered trademark, as in "Civil Air PatrolTM", anyone know if it is?  Can it be, considering this is not a business (though it is a corporation)?

As I have stated elsewhere and elsewhen, CAP (the corporation) holds only two trademarks - CAPMART, and WHERE IMAGINATION TAKES FLIGHT. I have found no patents listed. Copyright information is too diverse and numerous for online catalogong.
Dave Bowles
Maj, CAP
AT1, USN Retired
50 Year Member
Mitchell Award (unnumbered)
C/WO, CAP, Ret

SARMedTech

#31
Quote from: Nick Critelli, Lt Col CAP on June 17, 2007, 10:20:31 PM
Quote from: SARMedTech on June 17, 2007, 09:58:32 PM
I think the biggest issue here is: Who the h*** cares? Other than it being CAP playing the name game, it really makes absolutely no difference.

It make a huge difference.  There are two types of ES/DR responders: governmental and private. Which side of the line do you want to be on? Do you want to join the Boy Scouts, local amateur radio club, equestrian club, dive team, AOPA club? Is that how you view CAP?  Or are you a quasi governmental entity, that has governmental oversight and is trained to professional standards? Since HSPD-5 and HSPD-8 which do you think state and local government will rely upon? Do you think they incur more or less legal liability if they use a private organization?

Things changed drastically after 9-11. HSPD-5 and 8 changed the whole response paradigm.

And for those of you that still think CAP is a private, volunteer, non-profit benevolent organization...that mantra worked well and was true before October 2000. Then the law changed. We are the ONLY Title 36 federal corporation whose board is appointed by the government itself (SECAF).

Our governing board is appointed by the federal government, our funding comes from the federal government and the federal government regulates and oversees us. That makes us what is known in legal academic circles as a quango or quasi governmental organization.

Use the U.S. Civil Air Patrol tag and wear it with pride. You're NOT just a private club.  With all that governmental oversight comes the right to wear the tag. And you just might find that you'll get called out more often.

If you had read, I mean really read, my entire post, you would have found the very end where I said that I am more concerned with the privilege of wearing the uniform and serving my squadron, my community and my country. What I was trying to say is that there are all these people that seem to be bent out of shape by the addition of the U.S. because it is a change that Maj Gen Pineda made without consulting each and every member. If you really read my post, you would have seen that I was addressing those people who were talking about having to change tapes, are the tapes too big, are the letters to small, my tag overlaps my pocket by 1/16 of an inch. Thats who I was talking to when I said who cares. If more members  put as much effort into their service, the specialties, training and professionalism and carrying out the mission for which they are trained we wouldnt be having this discussion.
"Corpsman Up!"

"...The distinct possibility of dying slow, cold and alone...but you also get the chance to save lives, and there is no greater calling in the world than that."

Ricochet13

According to information posted on the CAP-PAO email list, CAP-NHQ/Program Development is looking into the question regarding size of the new U.S. Civil Air Patrol tapes.

Ricochet13

Quote from: mikeylikey on June 15, 2007, 10:15:12 PM
Please don't be the first person I see to wear a tape that extends over the sides of the pocket!  Not sure what will happen......but it will NOT be an AWESOME outcome!

Quote from: SARMedTech on June 18, 2007, 07:29:52 AM
If you really read my post, you would have seen that I was addressing those people who were talking about having to change tapes, are the tapes too big, are the letters to small, my tag overlaps my pocket by 1/16 of an inch. Thats who I was talking to when I said who cares. If more members  put as much effort into their service, the specialties, training and professionalism and carrying out the mission for which they are trained we wouldnt be having this discussion.

Not quite sure what bothers me about these two posts, but something surely does.  Can't put my finger on it exactly.  Maybe someone else has noticed it too?

mikeylikey

^^  Well I am just an ASS.....its ok to call me that!  I will absolutely take a member to the side and let them know how ate up their uniform looks with a name/branch tape overextending the pocket flap.  That was the only point I was trying to make.  Sorry if you missed it!
What's up monkeys?

SARMedTech

And my point was simply that I think we have bigger and better things to worry about. Nothing more, nothing less. And if something bothers you about the posts, just say it. I thought that these forums were about the exchange of ideas. My point was also that its starting to get a little embarrassing hearing people go on and on, ad infinitum, about the U.S being added to the tapes. You can wear the new ones, do your best to make sure that they are worn appropriately and do not extend past the edges of the pocket, or, as I see, your other option is to disenroll yourself from CAP. I have been talking to some USCGAUX friends and they really are kind of in shock over how much we make of uniform items. Sure they do it too, Im sure, but not to the extent that CAP membership does. Will the U.S. also appear on patches, etc? Because if it doesnt, and it bothers some members that badly, you can always go to the blazer uniform. Im just truly frustrated that we take up so much space talking about these kinds of things when we could be talking about how to get more funding at the Wing and Squadron level, how to get the best equipment, how to subsidize some things so the membership doesnt have to go into debt while at the same time being asked to serve. I hope to have a long and dedicated service in CAP, but if we are losing members already and the member that we ARE recruiting are more worried about badges and tapes, well..to me thats just sad. Perhaps my post about "who the h***" cares was too hot-headed and I will take the blame for that. I just often stop and think of how this must look to potential members who come to CAPTalk to get info before joining and wonder if the level and topics of discourse might not sour them on wanting to join because of the level of pettiness to which we so often descend and if a potential member is put off and doesnt join because of the pettiness, its probably because they were serious in their desire to serve, and thats not someone we can afford to lose. Just my two cents.
"Corpsman Up!"

"...The distinct possibility of dying slow, cold and alone...but you also get the chance to save lives, and there is no greater calling in the world than that."

Dragoon

CGAUX used to have an official forum site - it was FULL of uniform threads and arguments.

We're undoubtedly worse, though, because:

1.  We have cadets, who are very uniform conscious.

2.  USAF won't just let everyone wear they're uniforms, so we have to deal with the whole "alternative uniform" thing.

3.  We are in a year of great change to the uniforms, causing more discussion and disagreement.  Same thing happened in the Army when the beret came about.  Same thing is happening in USAF right now about the ABU and the new Service Dress.

MIKE

The Aux has a Knowledgebase now though... Which has some uniform topics.
Mike Johnston

SARMedTech

I believe CAP also has a knowledgebase, does it not?
"Corpsman Up!"

"...The distinct possibility of dying slow, cold and alone...but you also get the chance to save lives, and there is no greater calling in the world than that."

IceNine

#39
CAP Knowledgebase

Fixed long knowledgebase linky - MIKE
"All of the true things that I am about to tell you are shameless lies"

Book of Bokonon
Chapter 4

RiverAux

There is a fairly active CG Aux board at military.com (its slowed down a bit lately) and it rarely has any uniform topics.  Every now and again something will come up, primarily when the uniform changes, but it is far, far, far less a topic of concern in the Aux -- primarily because I think most are actually happy with the uniforms and there are only a few options for uniforms in the first place. 

Mustang

Quote from: Eclipse on June 17, 2007, 03:54:30 PM
Quote from: RiverAux on June 17, 2007, 02:13:58 PM
Uh, except for the part of the name tapes that say "Civil Air Patrol" on it...CAP still has all the rights to it, just none to "U.S."

The Civil Air Patrol, does not, and cannot own the rights to common terms such as "civil", "air", and "patrol".

Bob, you're simply wrong. (Yet again.) That's like saying IBM cannot hold its trademark because "international", "business" and "machines" are common everyday terms.  Moreover, in CAP's case, the organization is granted exclusive use rights by federal law when those terms are strung together into the phrase "Civil Air Patrol".  Do your homework before posting authoritatively, please.
"Amateurs train until they get it right; Professionals train until they cannot get it wrong. "


RogueLeader

I do believe that is why he separated the words, quoted them and notice that none were capitalized.  He did not say that CAP doesn't own the Rights to "Civil Air Patrol"  He just said to that CAP does not own  air, civil, and/or patrol,
WYWG DP

GRW 3340

SARMedTech

Quote from: Mustang on June 20, 2007, 08:43:36 AM
Quote from: Eclipse on June 17, 2007, 03:54:30 PM
Quote from: RiverAux on June 17, 2007, 02:13:58 PM
Uh, except for the part of the name tapes that say "Civil Air Patrol" on it...CAP still has all the rights to it, just none to "U.S."

The Civil Air Patrol, does not, and cannot own the rights to common terms such as "civil", "air", and "patrol".

Bob, you're simply wrong. (Yet again.) That's like saying IBM cannot hold its trademark because "international", "business" and "machines" are common everyday terms.  Moreover, in CAP's case, the organization is granted exclusive use rights by federal law when those terms are strung together into the phrase "Civil Air Patrol".  Do your homework before posting authoritatively, please.

Actually, sir, youre wrong. If you had paid attention and done YOUR homework, you would have seen that the poster in question was saying that the words themselves cannot be trademarked and trademark use and/or infringement only applies when the words are strung together to form the name Civil Air Patrol. You, sir, are the one that missed the point of the post. The poster was saying that the individual words cannot be held under copyright or trademark law. Common useage words like civil, air and patrol cannot be trademarked. Only when they are put together to indicate a certain organization or product can the COMBINATION of the words IN THAT ORDER be trademarked. Now, if CAP decided to call itself FLARPNERF it could trademark that word since it is not common useage and prevent other from using it under penalty of law.  Semper Vi!
"Corpsman Up!"

"...The distinct possibility of dying slow, cold and alone...but you also get the chance to save lives, and there is no greater calling in the world than that."

PhotogPilot

Quote from: RogueLeader on June 20, 2007, 04:39:07 PM
I do believe that is why he separated the words, quoted them and notice that none were capitalized.  He did not say that CAP doesn't own the Rights to "Civil Air Patrol"  He just said to that CAP does not own  air, civil, and/or patrol,

And no one is trying to sell blue tapes with "Air Civil Patrol" Embroidered on them. When you string those three words together in a particular permutation; "Civil Air Patrol", then you have brand name issues. To argue that the CAP does not own the rights to the words "Civil" "Air" and "Patrol" is a pointless statement of the painfully obvious, and meaningless to this discussion.

(edited to correct spelling)

ddelaney103

Ok, reality check here.

Can you legally sell tapes that say "US Civil Air Patrol?" Probably, especially if it's a request from a place that will sew anything on blue tapes for you.

Can they advertise the service? Hard to say - a much grayer area than above.

What I do know is CAP _can_ send forth its flying monkeys corporate legal council at the behest of Vanguard (as probably required by their contract) to cover the perceived offenders with "cease and desist" letters.

I also know that companies often decide to back down not because they're in the wrong, but because being proved right is an expensive and by no means certain proposition.

And that's, as Tony Beretta used to say, the name of that tune...

RiverAux

So adding a couple of letters totally invalidates the law?  Hmm, how about I open up a restaurant called "US McDonalds"....

PhotogPilot

Quote from: ddelaney103 on June 20, 2007, 05:03:56 PM
And that's, as Tony Beretta used to say, the name of that tune...

Or more appropriately. "If you can't do the time, don't do the crime"

mikeylikey

Quote from: RiverAux on June 20, 2007, 05:05:36 PM
So adding a couple of letters totally invalidates the law?  Hmm, how about I open up a restaurant called "US McDonalds"....

You can!
What's up monkeys?

mdickinson

Quote from: SARMedTech on June 20, 2007, 04:44:12 PM
The poster was saying that the individual words cannot be held under copyright or trademark law. Common useage words like civil, air and patrol cannot be trademarked.

I used to think that too - then I had a look at the packaging on my Space(R) blanket... and found that the word "space" is a registered trademark!

see http://tinyurl.com/y62hcz

Hawk200

Quote from: RiverAux on June 20, 2007, 05:05:36 PM
So adding a couple of letters totally invalidates the law?  Hmm, how about I open up a restaurant called "US McDonalds"....

Reminds me of a story of a guy that opened a restaurant named "McDonalds". He didn't use golden arches or anything, and it was a rather fancy dining establishment. McDonald's sued him. After less than thirty minutes of deliberation, the judge decided against the McDonald's corporation (the one that sells hamburgers).

Why? The mans name was "McDonald".

ColonelJack

Quote from: Hawk200 on June 21, 2007, 02:04:07 AM
Reminds me of a story of a guy that opened a restaurant named "McDonalds". He didn't use golden arches or anything, and it was a rather fancy dining establishment. McDonald's sued him. After less than thirty minutes of deliberation, the judge decided against the McDonald's corporation (the one that sells hamburgers).
Why? The mans name was "McDonald".

Now this goes off on a tangent, but I hope you will accomodate me ... a while back, the McDonald's restaurants in the UK (specifically Scotland) thought it would be a neat promotion to put their employees in tartan.  But, with typical American corporate mentality, they went and got the first tartan they could find cheaply, which I believe was a knockoff of the Lindsey clan.  In Scotland, tartan is taken very seriously, so Lord Geoffrey MacDonald, head of the MacDonald clan, wrote a polite letter to the burger chain's corporate headquarters advising them of their faux pas and asking them to correct it.

Lord MacDonald was ignored.

So he wrote another, less polite letter ... same response.

After two or three more of those, Lord MacDonald consulted his attorneys, then sent a final letter to the McDonald's corporation.  He advised them that, under UK law, the name MacDonald was his personal property (all clan members, etc., use the name with his permission), and if the chain wanted to continue calling its restaurants in the UK by that name, they will listen to what he has to say and fix the tartan problem now.

McDonald's also consulted with their lawyers.  And within a week -- and at great expense -- Scottish restaurants were outfitted in MacDonald tartan for the rest of the promotion.

This story may be apocraphyl or I may have some details wrong ... but it's basically the way I heard it.  And if it isn't true ... it ought to be.

We now return you to your original thread.

Jack
Jack Bagley, Ed. D.
Lt. Col., CAP (now inactive)
Gill Robb Wilson Award No. 1366, 29 Nov 1991
Admiral, Great Navy of the State of Nebraska
Honorary Admiral, Navy of the Republic of Molossia

jimmydeanno

This reminds me of the movie Coming to America

"They're McDonald's, we're McDowell's"

"They have the Golden Arches, we have the Golden Arcs"

"They have the Big Mac, we have the Big Mic"
If you have ten thousand regulations you destroy all respect for the law. - Winston Churchill

SARMedTech

I prefer a Royale with cheese and I will only patronize McDonalds fast food joints in Canada because you can get bottled beer to go with your food. Talk about a happy meal.  Ok...off track...

Since we are speaking of name tapes...would I be within regs if I put an aquamarine tape on my pack(s) with my last name on it and also on the assault pack that I use for BLS supplies could I stitch on a red cross (actually a green cross is the international symbol for first aide) or a tape that says "medical" or a star of life patch on the assault pack? I cant remember who it was that told me they carried the CFP-90 pack but it works out perfectly for how i want to carry my gear...but with its price tag, I would like to have my name firmly on it somewhere. Not that anyone in CAP would steal someone else's gear.
"Corpsman Up!"

"...The distinct possibility of dying slow, cold and alone...but you also get the chance to save lives, and there is no greater calling in the world than that."