Suing the Red Cross over the Red Cross!!

This should fit right into someone's "Did you know?" series.

Here's the news item, straight from the Indian Express :
(look at the item I have highlighted)

Johnson & Johnson filed suit last week against the American Red Cross for becoming too free-wheeling with that old red cross, you can imagine the shivers that went through the company's public relations team.

The fact that Johnson & Johnson sued anyway shows how completely its lawyers and executives believed they needed to sue. "We were very reluctant to take this step," says John Crisan, counsel for Johnson & Johnson's consumer group.

First, let's be clear. The company isn't asking the Red Cross to eliminate its logo or change its name.

Johnson & Johnson only wants the organisation to stop selling use of the emblem to companies that are slapping it on products like nail clippers, humidifiers and first-aid kits.

Both the Red Cross and Johnson & Johnson can legally use the Red Cross trademark. By mutual understanding and government action, the two set certain boundaries a century ago as to which one of them can use it for what, according to the company.

Did YOU know? I had no clue.


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Cross-Posted By BangaloreGuy AT Opinions on 10/30/2007 06:49:00 AM