Can someone on this list explain the origins of David Millers Hetchins Company? Now that the Masi-ites have quieted down, this is just what we need to generate some passion on the list! DB
Joe Bender-Zanoni wrote:
> Mr. Joynt is confusing the issue. I do not know English trademark law but
> registration is not required to enforce a trademark in the US although there
> are benefits to registration. The standard is "liklihood of confusion" and
> he will likely lose should the trademark and overlapping state unfair
> competion laws be enforced.
>
> A tip though- you can grab a name if it is not being currently used in
> commerce.
>
> Joe
>
> - "Hetchins" and "Gillot" bikes by Mark Joynt of Omega. Kent, England. This
> relatively young guy claimed vociferously that he made a search and found no
> legal registration of these marques in the UK and they subsequently have
> taken all the legal steps to properly acquire them. This is bad news for
> ensuring protection of the lineage of Hetchins. The frames on display were
> called Magnum Opus models and were very close copies of the older 1960s lug
> design.. Newer versions have differed from these old styles but Joynt had
> replicated the old style quite nicely. Other details were a bit off though..
> Now it will be interesting if the Hetchins Company as we have known it to
> date (David Miller, etc.) can successfully pursue this challenge and "save"
> their claim to the brand.