Much like day drinking, family fights, and falling asleep on the couch, this article has become a tradition here at Pirated Thoughts. Happy Thanksgiving!
There are Trademark owners and trademark trolls. Several individuals own registered trademarks over the most common of words. Some enforce that protection, some do not. The THANKSGIVING trademark is actually owned by three companies, a winery, a beef jerky company, and a slot machine company.
Truth be told, no one owns Thanksgiving but there are currently 97 either alive or dead trademark registrations containing the THANKSGIVING mark. This is up from 79 just two years ago. One is maybe the longest…and dumbest…trademarks you will ever see:
STAY FIT AND MOTIVATED DURING THE CALORIE-FILLED HOLIDAY SEASON BY PLEDGING TO RUN, WALK OR BIKE AT LEAST ONE MILE EVERY DAY FROM THANKSGIVING UNTIL NEW YEAR’S DAY.
I wish I could make that up but in December 2015 a company tried to trademark that entire paragraph. Not surprisingly, like so many unfortunate turkeys, the mark is now dead.
Some other marks include this blog’s favorites: THANKSGIVING BALLS, THANKSGIVING PANTS, and THANKSGIVING NAP SWEATER but only three companies own the THANKSGIVING mark.
In 2010, Hidden Wineries in California registered THANKSGIVING in association with its wines and sparkling wines. In 2013, a slot machine company also registered the THANKSGIVING mark for slot and gaming machines. Finally in 2017, a beef jerky company registered the mark for its processed meat products.
The THANKSGIVING mark is very common and generic on its own but when used in association with products like wine or gaming machines, the mark becomes unique. You are free to use the THANKSGIVING mark on anything but if you do so on wine or slots, these companies will come after you for infringement.
So, three companies actually and technically do own Thanksgiving…the trademark that is. I can’t think of anything better than mixing the three marks for a Thanksgiving treat. So enjoy your THANKSGIVING wine, chomp on some vegan THANSKGIVING jerky, and gamble on your THANKSGIVING slots.
Have a great turkey day or don’t have any turkey! It’s just as much fun to go meatless.
