3 ms·

Makes me wonder. Can the usps file for patents? Can they have trade secrets? What about trade marks?

by mrfusion 8y ago

monocasa 8y ago
They have definitely enforced trade mark. I remember hearing that they had sued the band "The Postal Service".
- astura 8y ago
  "ZIP Code" was originally trademarked, but I believe it has expired now. The State of New Jersey actually sued a Florida pizza place for trademark violations: https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/New-Jersey-Loses-Trademark-Fight-With-Florida-Pizza-Shop-Over-Logo-482917131.html https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/New-Jersey-Loses-Trade... they lost, however, because nobody ever confused a Florida pizza place with a New Jersey highway.
- spacehome 8y ago
  That’s bizarre. Lots of countries have postal services. Does USPS think they have a monopoly on the concept of delivering mail?
  - girvo 8y ago
    The settlement was The Postal Service playing a small concert for USPS employees, so the end result was kind of cute :)
  - monocasa 8y ago
    > Does USPS think they have a monopoly on the concept of delivering mail? Under the name "The Postal Service" and within US borders? Yes, they do think that, and their trademark would agree with them.
  - paulie_a 8y ago
    Yes they legally have a monopoly mail service. You cannot compete against them. Package delivery services like ups or FedEx are a different type of service and distinctly defined. But mail carrier is exclusive to USPS.
  - TheCoelacanth 8y ago
    Trademarks are inherently geographically limited. They apply in regions where the trademark holder does business under that name, not over the whole world. The bizarre part is trying to apply their trademark to an area of business that is not related to what USPS does. USPS does not play music gigs. There would be no danger of someone confusing USPS with a band. Trademarks are also limited to the line of business that the trademark holder operates in. This is why Apple Computers and Apple Records (the record label for the Beatles) were able to operate without trademark conflicts for decades until Apple Computers started getting involved with music and then needed to come to an arrangement with Apple Records.
    - monocasa 8y ago
      Apple computer and Apple records early on had a trademark spat, and subsequent settlement. The reason why the Beatles took so long to show up on iTunes was related to the fallout of breaking that agreement. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apple_Corps_v_Apple_Computer https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apple_Corps_v_Apple_Computer
csdreamer7 8y ago
Not too sure about an independent agency or a GSE, but the courts have allowed third parties to trademark certain designs and transfer them to the fed govt.

Makes me wonder. Can the usps file for patents? Can they have trade secrets? What about trade marks?

monocasa 8y ago

They have definitely enforced trade mark. I remember hearing that they had sued the band "The Postal Service".

astura 8y ago
"ZIP Code" was originally trademarked, but I believe it has expired now. The State of New Jersey actually sued a Florida pizza place for trademark violations: https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/New-Jersey-Loses-Trademark-Fight-With-Florida-Pizza-Shop-Over-Logo-482917131.html https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/New-Jersey-Loses-Trade... they lost, however, because nobody ever confused a Florida pizza place with a New Jersey highway.
spacehome 8y ago
That’s bizarre. Lots of countries have postal services. Does USPS think they have a monopoly on the concept of delivering mail?
- girvo 8y ago
  The settlement was The Postal Service playing a small concert for USPS employees, so the end result was kind of cute :)
- monocasa 8y ago
  > Does USPS think they have a monopoly on the concept of delivering mail? Under the name "The Postal Service" and within US borders? Yes, they do think that, and their trademark would agree with them.
- paulie_a 8y ago
  Yes they legally have a monopoly mail service. You cannot compete against them. Package delivery services like ups or FedEx are a different type of service and distinctly defined. But mail carrier is exclusive to USPS.
- TheCoelacanth 8y ago
  Trademarks are inherently geographically limited. They apply in regions where the trademark holder does business under that name, not over the whole world. The bizarre part is trying to apply their trademark to an area of business that is not related to what USPS does. USPS does not play music gigs. There would be no danger of someone confusing USPS with a band. Trademarks are also limited to the line of business that the trademark holder operates in. This is why Apple Computers and Apple Records (the record label for the Beatles) were able to operate without trademark conflicts for decades until Apple Computers started getting involved with music and then needed to come to an arrangement with Apple Records.
  - monocasa 8y ago
    Apple computer and Apple records early on had a trademark spat, and subsequent settlement. The reason why the Beatles took so long to show up on iTunes was related to the fallout of breaking that agreement. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apple_Corps_v_Apple_Computer https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apple_Corps_v_Apple_Computer

csdreamer7 8y ago

Not too sure about an independent agency or a GSE, but the courts have allowed third parties to trademark certain designs and transfer them to the fed govt.