Financial service provider H&R Block has filed suit against American Express for the use of its I GOT PEOPLE trademark. H&R Block contends that an American Express commercial featuring Beyonce Knowles and Ellen Degeneres infringed upon its I GOT PEOPLE trademark because it featured Ellen Degeneres searching for her own “people.” Beyonce Knowles asked Ellen to have her “people” contact Beyonce’s “people” so that Ellen could attend Beyonce’s concert. Ellen eventually finds that her “people” is American Express, and uses her Amex card to purchase tickets to Beyonce’s concert.
H&R Block has used its I GOT PEOPLE trademark mark in its tax service advertisements, which claim that consumers don’t have to worry about taxes because they have their own “people” in H&R Block. H&R Block’s ads have been broadcast and displayed on radio, television, billboards, and in print. The suit alleges that American Express is liable for trademark infringement, trademark dilution, and unfair competition.
Trademark infringement is a big problem on the web. Trademarks are being infringed in lots of ways includign domain names disputes and keyword advertising. Stop trademark infringement!
Posted by: Trademark Infringement | Thursday, 07 August 2008 at 04:42 PM