Comments on: Lawsuit could grab Tiger by the tail

Suit alleges Apple OS encroaches on name of computer seller Tiger Direct. If latter wins, Apple marketing could be in disarray.

[Earl Benser]

TigerDirect never trademarked 'Tiger'

And, as noted, their own name was one word 'TigerDirect', which
they DID trademark. And it's one word because any half-way
competent trademarl attorney would have made it clear to them
that 'Tiger' alone is not a trademarkable item

On the same basis, MS's trademark on 'Windows' is totally
fraudulent. 'Microsft's Windows' is a legitimate trademark, but
'Windows' alone is a totally generic term. Of couse, Ol' Bill's legal
staff will raise all sorts of futile smoke on this one, and
eventually, MS dollars tend to 'win' the argument. But, 'Lindows'
remains a perfectly good product name.

[sanenazok]

Nope, "Tiger" is a trademark for many products

If what you said is true, no trademark could ever include a non-made up word. That would make "Apple" generic as well since it's just a "generic" word.

Now a trademark can become "generic" which is something you must have heard of. For example, at one time "elevator" was a trademark belonging to Otis. However, Otis used it to describe their people mover product in a way that caused it to become a generic name for the product.

So there's no reason why someone can't get a trademark on the word "tiger." It depends on the context. Actually the following "tiger" words are trademarked:
tiger (lighting products)
black tiger (comic books)
eye of tiger (paint brushes)
red tiger (flowering plants)
and a few thousand more.

And don't worry - Windows is a valid trademark. Just ask the people who made an overpriced product called Lindows, or whatever became of it. What do you think their first defense was, of course that "Windows" is not a valid trademark, and yet they lost. Let me guess, that means that the courts are all in the grasp of Bill...or maybe it's a valid trademark.

HAPPY MAY DAY

[intrepi]

Ridiculous & laughable

How in the world does Tiger Direct ever expects to win this ridiculous lawsuit is beyond my wildest imagination. How does Tiger OSx infringe on Tiger Direct ? Tiger Direct has never developed nor sold a computer software program much less an Operating System. If it had or did, it might have some legal grounds to infringement. If I call my next litter of kittens, Tiger and market them would I be infringing on Tiger Direct ? I'd say Tiger Direct is a pathetic company reaching desperately for straws and hope Apple counter sues for all costs this wrongful lawsuit entitles them to. Tiger is also the brand name of a beer, established and produced long before Tiger Direct or the computing business was even thought of. Does this mean Tiger Beer has the right to sue Tiger Direct for infringement ? How low does Tiger Direct go to get $ 75,000 ?