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  • Hey all, just changed over the backend after 15 years I figured time to give it a bit of an update, its probably gonna be a bit weird for most of you and i am sure there is a few bugs to work out but it should kinda work the same as before... hopefully :)

RED is a trademark...

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Jannard

Jannard

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Please do not use RED in your company name or in your product name.

Imagine using Apple, Arri, Panavision or Sony... same thing.

Jim
 
with due respect...

with due respect...

Hope this isn't taken the wrong way.

I totally respect the brand you have built Jim and I would join you in pummelling anyone who might take advantage...

...but you can you really trademark the word "RED"?

Of course..."RED ONE" "RED DIGITAL CINEMA", etc.

But the word "RED"?

Just curious?

Dylan Macleod
Cinematographer
Toronto, Canada
www.dylanmacleod.com
 
Trademarks are within a specific service industry or field. So RED holds trademarks in relation to various cinematic and digital entertainment things basically.

The point is that any product related to RED that includes RED in it's name is 'confusingly similar' to RED's own name and trademarks - in that it might imply that the product is made my RED or endorsed by RED.

RED is required to defend their trademark against unauthorised use or they could potentially lose it.

That's why neither my company nor product names include any mention of RED.
 
Trademark on the word "RED" sure, but within a finite scope of use. As with all trademarks, there are bounds. As far as cameras, cinema accessories, etc.. or anything that pertains to RED Digital Cinema, etc.. they have the trademark on "RED".

But if you want to go off and sell hand-knitted wool hats and scarves under a brand label of "RED", go for it... As long as some other company doesn't already have the trademark for that use.

And of course, that doesn't take into account the establishment and maintenance of a "RED" trademark in other foreign markets either. Lots of hard work protecting a brand...

Edit> Good timing, Dylan (Sycophant)... heh.
 
Seems like it's already used quite a bit... should I assume these uses are licensed?

RedPix http://www.redpix.com.au
Toys4RED http://Toys4RED.com
Redmodz http://redmodz.com
Red Relay http://www.redrelay.com
Red Cam http://www.redcam.com.au
HD Cinema Group http://redcameranetwork.com,
http://www.digitalredcamera.com/
RedBoxx http://www.boxxtech.com/products/redBOXX/redBOXX.asp
RedUser http://www.reduser.net

It seems surprising that a simple color could be proprietary, although as I understand it UPS owns "BROWN" with reference to shipping.
 
jbeale said:
Seems like it's already used quite a bit... should I assume these uses are licensed?

RedPix http://www.redpix.com.au
Toys4RED http://Toys4RED.com
Redmodz http://redmodz.com
Red Relay http://www.redrelay.com
Red Cam http://www.redcam.com.au
HD Cinema Group http://redcameranetwork.com,
http://www.digitalredcamera.com/
RedBoxx http://www.boxxtech.com/products/redBOXX/redBOXX.asp
RedUser http://www.reduser.net

It seems surprising that a simple color could be proprietary, although as I understand it UPS owns "BROWN" with reference to shipping.
Click to expand...


Wow, so is Jim going to send out cease-and-desist letters to the websites that effectively support him and his camera? Tricky ground.
 
Shawn... it is tricky. But we have no choice to protect the brand. The Red Ninjas changed their name when we explained our situation. They got it. Now we have to hope the rest will. ibloom clearly understood and figured out a nice workaround... good job.

The last people we want to piss off are our customers. But even Ray Charles can see that using RED in the name is something we can't allow to happen in this industry. We do have some creative options in mind for some of the current ones, but please don't add to the list. We just can't allow them.

Jim
 
I see Red Digital Cinema has trademark registrations for: Red One, REDcode, Red-Gun, Red-Cage, Red-Drive, Red-Ram, Red-Raid, Redraid, Redram, Redflash, Red-rail, Redcine, Redcore, Red Apple (!), Red Grip, Redrushes, Red Quick, Red Lab (uh oh), Redcast, Red Brick, Red Cinema, Red Alert, Red Head, Redplay, and Redray. (You can find more if you search for the name of the lawyer who registers them for Red rather than searching for Red itself)

I think Red's big scary lawyers could present a reasonable case that they have established a brand called "Red" in the field of digital cinema equipment. People doing business in this market who choose to use the word "Red" in their name could be argued to be implying a relationship with or the approval of Red Digital Cinema. It's the same as if someone opened up "The Coke Store" and sold soft drinks.

There is always controversy when someone claims ownership of a common descriptive word such as the name of a color, but Red's trademark records do not indicate anyone going as far as trying to own "Red", only "red-something". Like anything else with lawyers involved, whether it is fair or not, whoever has the deeper pockets and nastier lawyers wins.

If I was starting up a digital cinema business, I would avoid using the word "Red" in my name.
 
Seriously, Jim...

I registered redographer.com, but it's your's if you want it. Just PM me.

-Thor
 
Why am I not surprised to see this....

I'm currently figuring this out myself. Jim/RED TEAM, I am currently working on a name AND a NEW name for my company R3D Guerilla Productions.

BTW, R3D is also trademarked for those thinking it might be a work around.

Aloha -
 
jbeale said:
It seems surprising that a simple color could be proprietary, although as I understand it UPS owns "BROWN" with reference to shipping.
Click to expand...
I think Jim has all the rights to reserve the name in a case of red brand name in bad use for example :
Someone was trying to claim that he is part of Red camera industry or
Red accessories but for other things related to the ( red color ) use in product
name . i think this will make discussing doors wide open
for me i will avoid using it .
 
Jannard said:
Shawn... it is tricky. But we have no choice to protect the brand. The Red Ninjas changed their name when we explained our situation. They got it. Now we have to hope the rest will. ibloom clearly understood and figured out a nice workaround... good job.

The last people we want to piss off are our customers. But even Ray Charles can see that using RED in the name is something we can't allow to happen in this industry. We do have some creative options in mind for some of the current ones, but please don't add to the list. We just can't allow them.

Jim
Click to expand...

I have Red Camera NW registered, havent really made use of it (placeholder page). Am I supposed to just not use it? Is Red buying up the names to redirect back to Red.com?
 
Shawn Booth said:
They don't need to buy up the names, I don't think.
I assume we're just SOL, but rightly so.
Click to expand...

It would be a nice courtesy to people who are clearly trying to create a support community around Red. Instead of ass kicking, it's "sorry, we cant let you do that, so we'll buy it from you gently", then anyone that doesnt accept would get the boot. That seems fair.
 
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