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  Ed Halley, 1 Jul 2003 @ 6:38am

  
  

  No Subject Given

  I think there's a bit of a difference between embracing the notion that people discussing UCE often use the vernacular "spam" inspired by Monty Python skit. But as the UCE problem gets worse, and as companies try to create their own "Spam ..." trademarks, I also understand their frustration at losing a very distinctive trademark. The Python skit was popular even before UCE existed, because *everyone* knows what SPAM(tm) is. Five years from now, if not already, kids will see grocery items and wonder why anyone would want to eat something named after those icky boob and pill advertisements.

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  Anonymous Coward, 1 Jul 2003 @ 9:05am

  
  

  Not to the older generation

  During WW2 when meat was rationed (even in the USA!), most of the meat was sent to the soldiers, so spam was a luxury commodity among civilians held in God-like reverence. It is still popular in pacific islands such as Hawaii, where natives grill it or put it in rice balls. It also goes well with Sour Poi, a fermented tube root porridge that tastes like a cross between varnish and snot. But don't say that out loud in Hawaii, because the savages responded by dumping a bucketful of Sour Poi on our rental car in the parking lot.
  
  

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  CHIA GARCIA, 1 Jul 2003 @ 9:05am

  
  

  No Subject Given

  It's too late. SPAM has already become a generic term. If they wanted to defend their trademark, they should have done so before SPAM became as generic as it is today.

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  Rick Colosimo, 1 Jul 2003 @ 12:59pm

  
  

  Trademark infringement

  One of the key elements of a trademark infringement case is "likelihood of confusion." The only time you really get away with an "it's got the same name!" argument is if you have a famous mark, such as Coke, Nike, or McDonald's. Who's going to confuse Spam (r) with spam? The context makes it almost immediately apparent in my mind what's being discussed, so I don't see a lot of luck for Hormel. Compare it to a discussion about Nike-branded anything, other than Greek food, and you'll almost certainly think about Nike the sporting goods company. That's the difference.

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