Tour Companies Battle Over Trademarked Duck Noises

Posted by samzenpus on Tuesday September 1, 2009 @05:15AM from the totally-quackers dept.

Tour company Ride the Ducks is suing rival tour company Bay Quackers, alleging that it holds trademark rights to the sound made by tourists using duck call devices, while on amphibious vehicle tours. San Francisco-based Ride the Ducks holds a 'sound mark' on the noise. Very few companies hold sound marks, but some of the more famous include: the NBC chimes and the MGM lion. The company holds US Trademark No. 2,484,276, which protects a mark consisting of 'a quacking noise made by tour guides and tour participants by use of duck call devices throughout various portions of [guided amphibious vehicle] tours.' Reading this makes my think that there is a room full of litigious monks somewhere, just waiting for someone to try clapping with one hand.

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Re:Might sound nuts, but has a sound legal basis by mea37 · 2009-09-01 06:55 · Score: 0, Troll

If you're willing to answer "yes and yes" to questions that absurd without explanation, then I'm not going to spend much time arguing with you. I'll simply say that you're entitled to your opinion, but I hope I never have to depend on you as a juror if that's what you believe.
As to your question - I assume it's rhetorical as I've made my opinion perfectly clear.