tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5742415355016995707.post3449575339315378089..comments2024-03-24T13:49:53.099-04:00Comments on Romance Books '4' Us: Romance Books 'R' Us Stifled by Trademark PoliceUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger25125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5742415355016995707.post-71279028090404608092012-06-26T12:34:09.509-04:002012-06-26T12:34:09.509-04:00Marianne, I've been worried about my name ever...Marianne, I've been worried about my name ever since the problem with Adele's name. It makes you wonder if it's worth it to stay in this business. <br /><br />I do like the new name. I just hope there aren't any other problems.Sandyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01843816981385732033noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5742415355016995707.post-9953250642624711382012-06-26T06:16:30.906-04:002012-06-26T06:16:30.906-04:00Marianne--I'm sorry you had to go through the ...Marianne--I'm sorry you had to go through the upheaval of changing the group's name, just because a<br />"corporation that shall remain nameless" decided they had a right to interfere with your life. They must think their customers are stupid if they thought those customers would confuse books with toys. Best wishes with the new group name!JaneE2059https://www.blogger.com/profile/15262535844807538740noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5742415355016995707.post-87913056223178490552012-06-25T23:48:56.000-04:002012-06-25T23:48:56.000-04:00Thank you ALL for your comments...it verifies for ...Thank you ALL for your comments...it verifies for me that I'm not crazy in thinking this is pathetically stupid.<br />Benjamin, if I ever find the Squashing action figure, I'll let you know because I'll buy one!Marianne Stephenshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05277593485137508765noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5742415355016995707.post-65487786936750395082012-06-25T22:17:47.604-04:002012-06-25T22:17:47.604-04:00Just when I calm down from dealing with everyday s...Just when I calm down from dealing with everyday stupidity, I come across this. It's so absurd I can't even find the right words. Let's hope 4 isn't trademarked somewhere. *rolling eyes* There must be some totally freakin' bored attorneys out there trying to justify why they should be on a payroll.Tara Manderinohttp://tjmanderino.webs.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5742415355016995707.post-54377733427546291842012-06-25T22:05:24.498-04:002012-06-25T22:05:24.498-04:00Hi guys,
A little help please. I've searched ...Hi guys,<br /><br />A little help please. I've searched your site from top to bottom and can't find the Attorney Bob Big Foot Little Business Squashing action figure anywhere.<br /><br />-Sigh- <br /><br />All this overbearing legal nonsense makes me nauseous. I've been boycotting a certain singer whose name I'm afraid to type. I'll add this retailer to my list as well.<br /><br />I like the new name.Benjamin Kellyhttp://www.benjaminkelly.netnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5742415355016995707.post-73849358322663127922012-06-25T19:45:02.391-04:002012-06-25T19:45:02.391-04:00I can't believe after all of the hard work, no...I can't believe after all of the hard work, not to mention the money spent that you've put into RBRU you were forced to change the name because of the corp that shall remain nameless. <br /><br />As for their fear of "diluting" their brand, they've managed to do that on their own. I have no intention of ever shopping there again.Parishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18430750954598484156noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5742415355016995707.post-34076865436215732332012-06-25T14:04:57.662-04:002012-06-25T14:04:57.662-04:00I boil over every time I think of this needless pe...I boil over every time I think of this needless persecution. What a brou-ha-ha caused again by the big guys. No more ToyrUs for me. My grandkids can get along with Target or Costco.jean hart stewarthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12287808234288499369noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5742415355016995707.post-36472966451503945192012-06-25T12:41:26.962-04:002012-06-25T12:41:26.962-04:00Just a darn hassle, Marianne. Thank you for taking...Just a darn hassle, Marianne. Thank you for taking this on.Vicki Batman, sassy writerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13846704675542248648noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5742415355016995707.post-55863827624118250102012-06-25T12:37:45.591-04:002012-06-25T12:37:45.591-04:00These trademark threats have gotten ridiculous. Th...These trademark threats have gotten ridiculous. The whole idea of trademarking was to keep competitors from trading on another company's established name, not to create an environment where companies can go after anyone for the most remote connection to the trademark. <br /><br />This spring, a pub in UK called The Hobbit, which has been in business for 20 years, got in trouble with a much newer company that holds all the merchandising rights to Tolkein's world. After an outcry from many, including stars from the Lord of the Rings movies, the trademark holder backed down and agreed to let the pub continue if it pays $100 a year in licensing fees. A couple of the movie stars even offered to pay the yearly fee.<br /><br />I think publicity and shedding light on the trademark police's doings is a great way to fight back. I will be sending many letters today in response to this craziness.Lucy Francishttp://www.lucyfrancis.netnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5742415355016995707.post-5238043800376431702012-06-25T11:51:31.369-04:002012-06-25T11:51:31.369-04:00This comment has been removed by the author.Aniahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09978191634506926045noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5742415355016995707.post-1054399649643998042012-06-25T11:48:40.322-04:002012-06-25T11:48:40.322-04:00Sorry you had to go through this, Marianne. It bog...Sorry you had to go through this, Marianne. It boggles my mind that these attorneys probably have student "aides" who do nothing all day but troll the Internet looking for people to bully. Because that's really what it is.Suzanne Johnsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14180604715572075576noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5742415355016995707.post-70903188586687427042012-06-25T11:46:56.580-04:002012-06-25T11:46:56.580-04:00I was amazed to hear this. I also found it amusin...I was amazed to hear this. I also found it amusing as I begin to wonder why they don't have better things to do witheir lives.Debbyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08516477616699255278noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5742415355016995707.post-72375833180245575272012-06-25T11:39:06.423-04:002012-06-25T11:39:06.423-04:00It's all nonsense. My editors are running so s...It's all nonsense. My editors are running so scared I can't even use stuff like Prius or Dodge Ram to differentiate what my characters drive. You have heard about the romance author whose actual first name is ADELE and the singer's "people" have filed against her using her OWN NAME that because, (eye roll) "Adele" owns the tradmark to a NAME. Disgusted...Tanya Hansonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08580821680629254085noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5742415355016995707.post-13568259841112275372012-06-25T11:11:44.482-04:002012-06-25T11:11:44.482-04:00I agree, totally ridiculous. How can anyone confus...I agree, totally ridiculous. How can anyone confuse romance books that are not sold, as having anything to do with toys?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5742415355016995707.post-38481884338415025992012-06-25T10:56:22.551-04:002012-06-25T10:56:22.551-04:00I haven't shopped at Toys R Us for years. Thei...I haven't shopped at Toys R Us for years. Their stores have gone down hill and are trashy (as in unclean) and their employees rude. I will definitely write a letter to them--the big bullies.Sharon Cullenhttps://sharonwritesromance.wordpress.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5742415355016995707.post-1305984223042154902012-06-25T10:02:43.613-04:002012-06-25T10:02:43.613-04:00I can relate, Marianne. Sorry you have to deal wit...I can relate, Marianne. Sorry you have to deal with this crazy situation. If it's any consolation, I like the new name better.<br /><br />Best--AdeleAdele Duboishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01975297711548126595noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5742415355016995707.post-16602018269046987232012-06-25T08:46:47.669-04:002012-06-25T08:46:47.669-04:00Its just sad. Don't they have anything better...Its just sad. Don't they have anything better to do then pick on people. As a mother of a 7 year old, I haven't been into a Toys R Us in forever and I'm not going to ever again. Idiots...<br /><br />MarikaHarlie Williamshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01866226921079232570noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5742415355016995707.post-28149033756696568112012-06-25T08:26:52.501-04:002012-06-25T08:26:52.501-04:00Give it time. They'll go out of business like ...Give it time. They'll go out of business like a lot of other companies in this country. With this kind of behavior, it'll serve them right.Tina Donahuehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07160021732404091277noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5742415355016995707.post-29563407580184439072012-06-25T04:21:37.994-04:002012-06-25T04:21:37.994-04:00Sorry you had to go through this, Marianne. Just s...Sorry you had to go through this, Marianne. Just so you know I haven't stepped inside a Toy R Us store for years - ever since one of their sales staff was rude to me about a product I'd bought that had clearly been purchased and played with and broken by another customer and then returned to the store only to be sold on to me at full price! Not good to find on Xmas morning.<br /><br />L xLily Harlemhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09273634704497875472noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5742415355016995707.post-23940750293812815532012-06-25T03:16:07.778-04:002012-06-25T03:16:07.778-04:00Thanks for your support, Sultry. And your messages...Thanks for your support, Sultry. And your messages have made me feel better about this whole stupid thing. Small businesses - and I'm not even a business! - just part of the "little people" that make up the world of consumers, have to realize how much power these companies have. RBRU was certainly no threat to them...but that made no difference.Marianne Stephenshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05277593485137508765noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5742415355016995707.post-63506406203406772372012-06-25T03:04:39.580-04:002012-06-25T03:04:39.580-04:00Toys"R"Us won't get any of my busine...Toys"R"Us won't get any of my business from now on! I can't stand such practices. This is an prime example of big business going viral. And what destroyed Rome? Internal nonsense like this and we are getting to that level real fast. Marianne you know my opinion, I've e-mailed it to you on several ocassions. I fully support you. They can take their R and turn it any way they want it.<br />Actually, I rather like your new name. From what I last heard their stock has dropped off and they've had to close several stores - gee I wonder why?<br />SultrySultry Summershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16333394415793223200noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5742415355016995707.post-32930453959665790072012-06-25T01:56:21.551-04:002012-06-25T01:56:21.551-04:00Thanks, Miriam. So much fuss over a small book gro...Thanks, Miriam. So much fuss over a small book group that poses no threat to all the Geoffrey LLC companies.<br />Now they'll lose my business...and I have 11 grandchildren!Marianne Stephenshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05277593485137508765noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5742415355016995707.post-8707536337549053282012-06-25T01:54:27.001-04:002012-06-25T01:54:27.001-04:00McD's sues people for using a name? It's s...McD's sues people for using a name? It's so crazy. Thanks for your story, Fiona. The Trademark system needs an overhaul and more sensible approach to how they issue Trademarks. Like I said, names are Trademarked, as stupid as that seems!Marianne Stephenshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05277593485137508765noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5742415355016995707.post-79773821742534019412012-06-25T01:44:18.712-04:002012-06-25T01:44:18.712-04:00Years ago I read about a British woman who owned a...Years ago I read about a British woman who owned a small tea and sandwich shop in London, catering to the lawyers who worked at the courthouse across the street. She called her place McMunchies. I'm sure you can guess who was suing her. Her customers offered to represent her pro-bono, figuring the suit was so ridiculous it would be thrown out. Nope.<br /><br />I wrote a letter to the HQ complaining that they have no right to trademark all names/words that begin with Mc. The clans of Scotland have used surnames with Mc and Mac for generations. I got no response from them, but I copied the reporter who was based in London. He sent my letter on to the woman who called me from London to thank me for my support. She said she had heard of a card company in CA being sued for calling themselves McGreetings.<br /><br />I was also contacted by the honorable head of the Clan McDonald, whose first name was...you guessed it, Ronald. He sent me paperwork making me an official guardian of the Clan McDonald. He also asked if there were any cliffs near Oakbrook IL. Seems that in the old days when a clan was insulted, either the 7th son of a 7th son would be asked to curse the offenders, or they would be tossed off the nearest cliff. I explained there were only tall buildings, no cliffs.<br /><br />I haven't eaten at a McD's since then and I never will. I know they don't need my money, but it gives me a small measure of satisfaction to know that I'm not adding my money to their profits so they can sue more little people.<br /><br />I will add the stores you mentioned to my list of places to avoid. You fought the good fight, but their pockets are always deeper. Sad.Fiona McGierhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13495707848048468428noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5742415355016995707.post-21129780995923660232012-06-25T00:20:27.384-04:002012-06-25T00:20:27.384-04:00Yet another example of how influences we never thi...Yet another example of how influences we never think will impact our happy little writing world can destroy it when we're not watching. Ignorance is not bliss. Thanks for the warning, Marianne. Sorry you had to go through this.Miriam Newmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05105724854045409335noreply@blogger.com