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VANOC Seeks to Trademark Part of O'Canada

By Michael Geist

When the Canadian government introduced overbroad and unnecessary legislation to protect Olympic marks, the Vancouver Olympic Organizing Committee claimed that the legislation was necessary to guard against ambush marketing.  Fresh off that legislative win, VANOC is now going for more gold.  The Globe and Mail reports that it has applied for trademark protection for "with glowing hearts," part of the refrain in the national anthem.  While the rights associated with the mark would (if granted) be limited to association with certain products and services, this is yet another example of intellectual property run amuck.  There is nothing to stop VANOC from using the phrase in its marketing. But there should not be anything to stop anyone else from using it either.

Full post as published by Michael Geist on September 25, 2008 (boomark / email).