If you're familiar with Desilu Studios, you may have heard about a recent trademark infringement complaint the company filed against CBS. Desilu Studios is well-known from producing the "I Love Lucy" show, along with other popular shows.
According to the article, the Manhattan Beach-based company believes that CBS Studios used the Desilu trademark without permission. The complaint asks to have the court to determine that Desilu Studios is the owner of any trademarks that cover the use of its property.
The trademark, Desilu, was first used by Lucile Ball and Desi Arnaz in 1950. This was then used when the couple set up a production company, which was known as Desilu Productions. That company was acquired by Gulf & Western Industries. Desilu Productions has not been in use since 1967, and between 1997 and 2001, the company failed to complete trademark applications for the Desilu trademark. Then, in 2005, Paramount Studios, a subsidiary of Gulf & Western Industries, attempted to transfer the rights of several television shows in the Desilu library. CBS may have believed that the transfer included the use of the company's trademark, but Desilu Studios, which was reopened in 2013 and had previously re-registered the trademark, claims that it did not.
In this case, the company now claims CBS is in violation of business contracts and is committing federal trademark infringement among other complaints.
This is just a single case showing why it's important to re-register your trademarks. Doing so helps you prevent losing them to other businesses who may wish to obtain them in the future.
Source: IPWatchdog, "Desilu Studios Files Trademark Infringement Complaint Against CBS in California Federal Court," Steve Brachmann, April 14, 2018
On behalf of Crockett & Crockett posted on Wednesday, May 23, 2018.
Comments