Re: ADT Yard Signs

["Jim" <alarminex@xxxxxxx>]

Nomen Nescio wrote:
>
> Yes, especially since ADT had the opportunity to remove the signs before
> selling you the truck and chose not to do so.
>
> Trademark law is primarily about identifying the source of goods and
> services.  In the example you gave, where someone is using the name of your
> business without permission, to try and make some money, it's a trademark
> violation because the public will probably be confused into thinking they
> are buying from you.
>
> Big companies like ADT are so well known, their trademarks are known as
> "famous marks," and they get extra protection under the law.  For example,
> you can't open a hamburger stand and call it McDonald's, even if your name
> is McDonald.  But if your ADT truck is just parked in the driveway, it's
> not being used in commerce, and the public is not being confused.
>
> Where ADT may have a point on the yard signs is this:  suppose some DIYer
> puts in his own piece of shit system, puts up some ADT yard signs to make
> it look official...and the system starts causing lots of false alarms.
> People see the yard signs and blame ADT, and maybe they don't buy an ADT
> system because of it.
> The public is confused as to the source of the alarm
> system.

Not really.

I'd guess that it doesn't really matter which one installed the system.
The results would be the same.


>
> - badenov