I think I'm going to trademark Ginger and sue the ginger snap makers, ginger ale makers, ginger beer makers and the plant itself.

Ooh. Sue Ginger's Ale House in Chicago. Wait, they have fun trivia contests, so maybe not....

Barb, maybe you should ask her what patent attorney she used because you want to do the same thing! (Can you tell I'm researching service marking our company logo..oh what a process oy!)

Are you fucking kidding me? I'm SO gonna make a mint off all the Erin Go Bragh stuff...

And ION, my morning glories.

All My Children owes me *serious* bank by now.

Well, I just spoke with a friend who teaches Intellectual property law at a university and she basically told me that at this point, I need to get a trademark attorney. Turns out that earlier this week she did register FirstName.com with the principal register (as well as already having her full name registered as well), so she's worried that the more claims she makes on the name, the more difficult it'll make things for me in the long run. That she *might* be able to even stop me from using MY full name a few years down the line. (Not likely, she stressed, but definitely want to nip this in the bud.)

I looked it up. She actually did file firstname.com and firstname lastname on Sept. 20. Unfortunately, first name alone is trademarked to a Mexican gold and silver company, a cigar company, and a restaurant. Probably combined with a picture to differentiate between them.

edit: interesting x-post.

she who will not be named has changed the banner on her website to a rotating banner with her full name, the first name, and first name.com all with a perky little TM or R after it. Plus, plus... everywhere her name is mentioned on the site, she's added a TM.

Really? And she's a lawyer? God help us all. Remind me to never hire her, and I hope beyond all reason that, if I ever enter the courtroom to litigate a matter, she's opposing counsel. I will fucking wipe the floor with her, half-asleep and with one hand tied behind my back.

The Diva looks fab today, Barb.

• Grade school: Black and Gold (Good Shepherd Rams)
• High School: Green and White (Trinity Shamrocks)
• Undergrad: Buff and Blue (The George Washington University Colonials)
• Law School: Red and White (The Catholic University of America Cardinals)

My cheerleading uniforms were predominantly black (Yay!) in grade school, and predominantly green (Boo!) in HS. It wasn't a good green either--a weird cross between kelly and forest green.

Barb, have you (I'm sure) tried to TALK SENSE into her? I mean, what is the logic here?

It seems like this would waste more money for the BOTH of you than she might (in the universe without shrimp) lose to you ZOMG STEALIN ALL THE READERS.

I was wrong, she registered firstname lastname in 1973. It's already registered. The firstname.com hasn't been approved yet and could be disputed. Firstname alone she can't get. It might be a good idea to register your firstname lastname and firstname middle and lastname, Barb.

I have a meeting with someone important next week to talk about how I can fulfil my role in different ways, and how they can help with this.

Woo hoo! Best of luck and I hope they are sensical.

I still have not heard anything. SRSLY? I got my offer at 5 pm Monday, stayed up until midnight working on counteroffer/questions and emailed them over at 8:58 am Monday. It wouldn't be such a big deal except they want me to start 10/4, which is a week from Monday. What the heck? I really wasn't playing "Stump the Hirer," I swears.

Also, I have to work approximately 6:30 am to 5 tomorrow, and I'm pissed about it.