The Null Device

Tanzania

The Onion's commentary about current directions in trademark law: Tanzania loses name to tanning salon chain:
"It was easy to establish that my client's company had a greater vested interest in the Tanzania brand name," said Yeltzer's lawyer, Ben Knowles. "Tanzania, the salon chain, is a rapidly growing business, adding nearly 50 locations each year. Tanzania, the African nation, is lanquishing under a debt of $7 billion."
"When you come to a Tanzania location, you know you're in for an out-of-the-ordinary tanning experience," Yeltzer said. "Our salons are famous for their casual but professional atmosphere. Last year, four million customers visited Tanzania Salons. Can the country of Tanzania make that claim?"

There are 3 comments on "Tanzania":

Posted by: Scorpizious http:// Mon Sep 15 01:06:26 2003

Even though the reasoning is not LEGALLY sound, the Onion authors make a DA%& good point about the arbitrariness of modern Trademark Law...

Posted by: Abraham Temu http:// Mon Sep 15 16:45:57 2003

Its a nonsense, the lawsuit is so ridiculous, no such thing.......

Here is the reason why

1) Tanzania cannot and should not change its name base on this baseless charges, simply because the owner of the tanning saloon did not conduct enough research to know that TANZANIA is a name of the country. USA law states clearly, "Ignorance is not an excuse to abuse or breaking the law" It is a shame to realise even the judge of US court made the ruling based on same ignorance.

2) Tanzania should completely ignore this groundless civil suit and charges, as USA internal law have no jurisdiction beyond its boarders. Matters of International dispute (clearly which this one is not), are usually decided in the International court of law.

3) TANZANIA is a name of the country emerged from the mix of various ethnic tribes from both the mainland and the coast, it embodies the culture and traditions of its native, it is an Identity of a nation and neither a business title nor a franchise nam

Posted by: Abraham Temu http:// Mon Sep 15 16:49:39 2003

3)TANZANIA is a name of the country emerged from the mix of various ethnic tribes from both the mainland and the coast, it embodies the culture and traditions of its native, it is an Identity of a nation and neither a business title nor a franchise name as such, therefore cannot be regarded as a trademark. 4)According to US law, possession is ninety percent of the law. Clearly Tanzania has possessed this legal name as a country and participated in all international affairs, such as United Nations, WTO, International sports competition, Olympics etc, etc. The claims by the plaintiff's are groundless, and should not even be admissible in the court of law. 5)The President should have been better advised in this issue.Tanzania possesses legal minds both locally and internationally that can fight this "minor" baseless dispute. President should completely ignore this lawsuit, as it has no merit. Instead if Tanzania decides to fight these charges, International court of law is the only venue. If deemed necessa