“Oh (sh)It.” eBay enforces its mark.
I knew I should have gone with “Pronoun” instead of “Adverb” because pronouns are where It’s at.
Ebay is making a big trademark protection push today, lawsuits-a-flying, building on groundwork laid back in March with the application for trademark on the phrases “You Can Get It On eBay” and “You Can Sell It On eBay,” in which the word “it” is in three colors. Previous lawsuits centered on protection of their name, with “BidBay,” “BrickBay,” and “PerfumeBay” all feeling the sting of the auction giant’s lash. This next round of suits promises to literally take the color out of the blandest of words.
EBay’s latest trademark battle is rooted in how important marketing and branding is for a large swath of companies that mostly exist only on the Internet. Sometimes, a good slogan or catchy ad theme is key to standing out among a crowded field of competitors. (Dow Jones Newswire via Morningstar)
But don’t tell the New Marketers. They think It’s all about social blew-point-oh.
Whoops. I just got sued.
5 commentsEmail Article Monday, September 18th, 2006 at 10:10pm Mack Simpson
Entry Filed under: Ad Jungle | add this post to del.icio.us
Technorati Tags: Advertising, eBay, Trademark, Lawsuit
