RIM facing a second trademark battle
After a brutal 2011, Research In Motion Ltd. is entering the New Year facing a lawsuit over its use of the BBM trademark for the popular BlackBerry Messenger service.
Toronto-based non-profit broadcast measurement organization BBM Canada says it is seeking an injunction to stop RIM from using and marketing the BBM name in Canada, a brand it says it has employed for more than 60 years.
RIM’s instant text and multimedia messaging service has more 50 million users and along with the recently launched BBM Music song-sharing offering is a highly recognized symbol of the Waterloo company around the world.
If a hearing in Federal Court early next year results in an order to halt RIM’s use of the name here, BBM Canada CEO Jim MacLeod said an injunction will also be sought in the U.S., where the broadcast company has a small presence.
BBM Canada alleges in its lawsuit that RIM’s use of the trademark has created headaches for the organization, now called BBM after the name was shortened from the Bureau of Broadcast Management in the early 1990s.
It says BBM Canada has been forced to handle customer helpline requests intended for RIM.
“I’m tired of people calling us to buy a cellphone,” MacLeod said, adding that BBM has offered to settle the matter out of court, but RIM was “dismissive.”
MacLeod said BBM Canada, with 650 employees, offered to change its name if the BlackBerry maker covered the up to $3 million cost of rebranding, but RIM refused. He said RIM argued that the organizations do not compete in the same markets. RIM did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
“When we first approached them I don’t think they had any idea who we were,” MacLeod said, adding that there is a principle at stake.
He said BBM Canada is determined to fight the adoption of trademark by a larger company that he said simply usurped the brand even though it could not be legally registered.
Motion Marketing Inc - News
After a brutal 2011, Research In Motion Ltd. is entering the New Year facing a lawsuit over its use of the BBM trademark for the popular BlackBerry Messenger service. Toronto-based non-profit broadcast measurement organization BBM Canada says it is
The company was able to avoid layoffs and keep moving forward with product development. It focused on using sales and marketing to growing in new markets. The motion product sales have now recovered to pre-recession levels.
of directors is anticipated to approve the consolidation of ExxonMobil Fuels Marketing Company and ExxonMobil Lubricants & Petroleum Specialties Company into ExxonMobil Fuels, Lubricants & Specialties Marketing Company, effective February 1, 2012.
We understand that our marketing efforts over the past year have not achieved the desired results, impacting the company's performance. In addition to the US advertising and promotional programs, we're also planning to increase advertising and
Sid Ganis has joined Dolby Laboratories Inc. as a strategic advisor, where he will work to expand the company's relationships with Hollywood's creators, producers and exhibitors. Ganis certainly has the reputation, respect and phone book for the job,
Clean Air Green Tour: Full Motion Marketing announces national ...
Full Motion Marketing has developed strategies to track real results through interactive promotional events. FMM pioneered the first national all eco-friendly tour many years ago. They have been involved in green marketing and sampling when the word green was foreign. FMM has partnered in past years with retailers such as Wal-Mart and Lowe’s. Clients include Bayer Advanced, Bosch, Scott Natural Towels, National Biodiesel Board and many others. In 2008, FMM received the national GREENS Award for Top Environmental Mobile Marketing Tour. FMM founded the National Clean Air Green Tour. FMM realizes brands are gearing up for the 2012 experimental marketing season. FMM will take your eco-friendly brands to new heights with a 360 Eco-Friendly Sampling Tour. All branding tours will involve hands-on sampling and product awareness, social media, internet marketing and will reach your target demographic. Full Motion Marketing utilizes sustainable procedures such as biodiesel vehicles, mobile solar energy for displays and eco-friendly marketing displays. Full Motion Marketing Inc., 7-year old, independent marketing and brand promotion agency headquartered in Pensacola, Florida. FMM emphasizes the power of an idea, and specializes in brand, cause, sports marketing and media/entertainment properties. Some past and previous clients include PGA, Champions Tour, Scott Naturals, Lowe’s, Codemasters, Ethanol, Oberto Beef Jerky, Southwest Airlines and FOX. FMM has a proven track record in the creation, development and management of award-winning national and international brand initiatives, and has deep capabilities ranging from brand promotion, strategy and activation, live events, sports marketing, experiential marketing, public relations, website design and sweepstakes management.