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> Since the phrase is a federally registered trademark, the department has tried at times to enforce its trademark rights with cease and desist letters This wa
by hyperhopper 6y ago
> Since the phrase is a federally registered trademark, the department has tried at times to enforce its trademark rights with cease and desist letters
This was the most shocking bit in the article for me. Trademark law was meant to prevent unfair competition, why would the government of Texas be worrying about the use of this to sell pro-Texas price merchandise? Seems like its the government itself going against the spirit of the law.
- dylan604 6y agoExactly this. If people are selling merch with that slogan, then the DoT should get a cut. I know "Don't Mess With Texas" merch exists, but I don't know if any of it was official from the DoT. If it did, the other merch would interfere with it's ability to monetize its trademark. I'm sure a simple online search would show you examples of merch that, while funny, clearly isn't something a state level agency would release.