Model 3 (Numeral)
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mknox
Well-Known Member
I think it could be construed as a trademark infringement. Ford owns has has defended it's ownership of the "Model E" trademark, and everywhere else in the Tesla font, the 3 horizontal bars represents the letter "E".
wallet.dat
Member
mknox
Well-Known Member
Yeah, we can do what we want, but Tesla does have to be careful about using someone else's trademark. No different than if Ford came out with a "Model S".
Red Sage
The Cybernetic Samurai
Wait... Don't trademarks, like copyrights, expire after a certain period of non-use? Disney has repeatedly attempted to extend the 'Mickey Mouse' laws indefinitely. But I don't think they have done so... yet. They do make sure to constantly use the character, though he should have been in the public domain more than fifty years ago.
I cannot for the life of me conceive of how a court would uphold a trademark that hasn't been in use for around 100 years. Something of that sort, obviously brought forth as a means to delay the progress of a potential competitor, should be deemed a frivolous pursuit and dismissed without merit from the outset. Yet, I understand why Tesla chose not to bother fighting it.
I cannot for the life of me conceive of how a court would uphold a trademark that hasn't been in use for around 100 years. Something of that sort, obviously brought forth as a means to delay the progress of a potential competitor, should be deemed a frivolous pursuit and dismissed without merit from the outset. Yet, I understand why Tesla chose not to bother fighting it.
mknox
Well-Known Member
I think they do if they are not somehow maintained by the owner. Ford actually had a Model S in the early 1900's, but I guess they didn't pursue ownership of that trademark and that's how Tesla got it. They might have registered Model E some time ago in anticipation of an "E"lectric car they could use that badge on.
Red Sage
The Cybernetic Samurai
I think it was reported that Ford re-applied for 'Model E' some months AFTER Tesla put in their application.
mknox
Well-Known Member
Yeah, I don't know the history but sure. Ford must have had some mitigating circumstance like prior ownership of it, otherwise I can't see why Tesla wouldn't have got it if they applied first.
ohmman
Plaid-ish Moderator
I have recently been involved in a trademark dispute, so I know a tiny bit about this (but not very much). What I do know is that the calendar matters as much as usage. Since Ford has plans to use the Model E trademark, and since they already had the trademark, I believe Tesla has a very low chance of taking it from them.
Red Sage
The Cybernetic Samurai
S3XY
Active Member
It means Ford never came out with a compelling fully electric car and has therefore gone out of business
FloridaJohn
Member
It looks like the rat has increased the copyright laws to around 110 years after creation.
The next expiration date is 2023, so expect to see heavy lobbying for another increase shortly.
More info How Mickey Mouse Keeps Changing Copyright Law
graphic
Member
After creating a background tile with the "old" logo, I understand why they change the Model 3 logo to "3" instead of the three bars. The Model 3 logo next to the Tesla logo may not make much sense in other countries, see below.
ohmman
Plaid-ish Moderator
Thomas Edison
Active Member
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