Strange But True: Honda Motor Co. reportedly denied trademark for "Acura RL"
In what appears to be a classic case of sweating the small stuff, the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board have refused to grant Honda a trademark for the term, "Acura RL," which, as we're sure you are aware, is the name of the luxury firm's flagship model. From what we can tell, this means that the Japanese automaker does not hold a trademark for the car's complete name.
The reasons given make sense from a technical standpoint, as the TTAB's response to Honda's appeal states that "we find that the likely impression here is that ACURA is the trademark for a line (or "make") of cars, while RL is a trademark for a particular "model" of that line."
Well, yeah. Acura is the make and RL is the model -- we're in agreement on that one. The differing viewpoints stem from the fact that Honda was unwilling or unable to provide proper evidence to the board that the words "Acura" and "RL" appear close enough together on the car, its manuals or its marketing materials to warrant its own trademark. Nitpick much? Thanks for the tip, Kevin!
[Source: TTAB (PDF link) via The TTABlog]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Alex 9:41AM (3/12/2009)
Right now some where in China a company is slapping Acura RL badges on their cars and preparing to send them out into the world.
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Mazda FTW! 9:51AM (3/12/2009)
LMAO
TigerMil 9:58AM (3/12/2009)
Good timing!
Vote up!
UCJR 11:02AM (3/12/2009)
And somewhere else, a lawyer is in college learning the skills he (or she) needs to make a very comfy living off frivolous lawsuits like this.
Epyx 1:47PM (3/12/2009)
Just call it the Legend and stop with the RL all together.
bhtooefr 8:37AM (3/13/2009)
Of course, the thing is... AFAICT from the summary... Acura is still a trademark, and RL is still a trademark. (And both are owned by Honda still.)
It's just Acura RL that isn't a trademark.
Chris 9:53AM (3/12/2009)
Now, color me ignorant, but does this matter too much?
Does Ford hold a TM for "Ford Taurus" or just "Taurus" when referring to the vehicle?
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Tourian 10:08AM (3/12/2009)
Surely they do. No one else could name a car Taurus in this country. They even hang on to the old names they're not using any more. Like Granada or Edsel.
500 2:19PM (3/12/2009)
Maybe, Tourian, but they were stupid enough to let "GT40" go. Then they were forced to rename the new GT40 the Ford GT.
Luis 9:43AM (3/12/2009)
Quick, Kia should sell a version of the Genesis and call it the RL!!!
With no logos!
:D
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Yikes 9:44AM (3/12/2009)
Good, RL as a name sucks.
Rename it back to the original LEGEND.
Just like it is called in other countries.
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Stumpy 10:01AM (3/12/2009)
I loved the Legend. Very nice looking car. I always wanted one.
superman211 11:27AM (3/12/2009)
It's called the Honda Discovery in Europe and Asia.
Brendon 12:12PM (3/12/2009)
There is already a honda legend which is the acura rl in japan...
http://www.honda.co.jp/LEGEND/
Epyx 1:53PM (3/12/2009)
The JDM grill is worse than the Zelda shield. Yuck.
TigerMil 9:57AM (3/12/2009)
ROFLMA! But of course the rich have more fun. The whores, excuse me, call girls, escorts, Playboy Bunnies, supermodels, what have you, are all better at the top end. Or bottom end, as the case may be!!
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Nibcrom 10:19AM (3/12/2009)
I think you're in the wrong post.
superman211 11:28AM (3/12/2009)
WHAT!?!?
Are you friggin' insane?
AntBee 10:30AM (3/12/2009)
Trademark Trial and Appeal Board: "Doing any and everything we can to remain relevant."
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artandcolour 11:07AM (3/12/2009)
quad exhausts are a bit much for a V6 luxury sedan, right? i never noticed those before.
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