ZR-1 just registered with US Patent Office

[warhawkmcdan]

I found this on another thread.

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1582973

Go to : http://www.uspto.gov/main/trademarks.htm

Click on Search:

Click on: Browse Dictionary

Enter Dictionary Term: 77056955 , click Browse

Click on Term: 77056955

ZR-1 Application made December 5th, 2006.

Now, why would GM develop this sudden interest in ZR-1? Hmmmmmm

[bkuper]

Originally Posted by warhawkmcdan

I found this on another thread.

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1582973

Go to : http://www.uspto.gov/main/trademarks.htm

Click on Search:

Click on: Browse Dictionary

Enter Dictionary Term: 77056955 , click Browse

Click on Term: 77056955

ZR-1 Application made December 5th, 2006.

Now, why would GM develop this sudden interest in ZR-1? Hmmmmmm

Does a patented name have a time limit?

[OldVetteFan]

Originally Posted by bkuper

Does a patented name have a time limit?

Yes - a trademark has a limited life. If the owner doesn't use the trademark, then it will expire. The trademark can be renewed after six or ten years.

In this case, the term of the trademark is probably close to expiring, so GM renewed it. If you look at the Good & Services usage on the USPTO site, you'll see that it is mostly related to accessories (ie, keychains, apparel, and hats) associated with the ZR-1. There's no mention of using it in association with a car badge (although I don't think it is limited).

Source:

http://inventors.about.com/od/invent...expiration.htm

My opinion? Nothing dramatic - just GM keeping their license fee stream intact.

Steven

[CorvetteConti]

Originally Posted by bkuper

Does a patented name have a time limit?

exactly what I was thinking, the old one ran out. If you ever see a poster with a ZR-1 on it, they mention that ZR-1 is a trademark of GM.

Maybe this is a renewal......if you are referring to the new 2009 Blue Devil project.....nahhhhh, I do not like ZR-1 for it....

I do like Sting Ray, Z06-R, Z06-SS. Corvette SS...but who knows what it will be called....just better be good

[Patrick]

It will be "king of the hill"... and it will have overhead cams...

[jbrannen]

Originally Posted by OldVetteFan

Yes - a trademark has a limited life. If the owner doesn't use the trademark, then it will expire. The trademark can be renewed after six or ten years.

In this case, the term of the trademark is probably close to expiring, so GM renewed it. If you look at the Good & Services usage on the USPTO site, you'll see that it is mostly related to accessories (ie, keychains, apparel, and hats) associated with the ZR-1. There's no mention of using it in association with a car badge (although I don't think it is limited).

Source:

http://inventors.about.com/od/invent...expiration.htm

My opinion? Nothing dramatic - just GM keeping their license fee stream intact.

Steven

The best recent example of this is the Mustang Cobra. Ford's trademark on the name was going to expire if they didn't use it, so in 1993, the Cobra came back. You have to admit that "Mustang Cobra" is odd, if you think about it.....a horse/snake.

But that's what Ford chose to do to keep that mark.

[VetteFinders]

I went to the USPTO link and searched for ZR-1 and I found that GM renewed the trademark for ZR-1 specifically for "Motor land vehicles, namely automobiles" on November 3, 2006. So it appears they have one trademark for the name on a car, and another for use on merchandise and accessories.

While it would be "irresponsible speculation" (Winding Road!) on my part to think that GM may use this RPO for the Blue Devil/SS, wouldn't that be just like GM to do so?

No, on second thought, I think it is just a renewal.



Word Mark ZR-1
Goods and Services IC 012. US 019 021 023 031 035 044. G & S: Motor land vehicles, namely automobiles
Standard Characters Claimed
Mark Drawing Code (4) STANDARD CHARACTER MARK
Design Search Code
Serial Number 77036100
Filing Date November 3, 2006
Current Filing Basis 1B
Original Filing Basis 1B
Owner (APPLICANT) General Motors Corporation CORPORATION DELAWARE 300 Renaissance Center P.O. Box 300 Detroit MICHIGAN 482653000
Attorney of Record Timothy G. Gorbatoff
Type of Mark TRADEMARK
Register PRINCIPAL
Live/Dead Indicator LIVE