Don’t cross J&J

red-cross-logo.JPG

When I was a kid, I was confused about how the American Red Cross and Johnson & Johnson used the same symbol. (Kids see a lot of boxes with the J&J “First Aid” logo.)

j-and-j-first-aid.jpgHmm. Confused, eh?

Yesterday, Johnson & Johnson took the hard-to-imagine step of taking the American Red Cross to court over the ownership of the Red Cross trademark, also known as the Greek Red Cross.

The medical supply company claims that the organizations own “separate and distinct rights” to the logo. However, JNJ protests the not-for-profit’s right to license the logo to other for-profit companies for use on items as diverse as baby mitts, nail clippers and humidifiers.

Sounds like a case.

UPDATE: Vickie Pinchon is soliciting ideas for a non-judicial resolution to this one.

SON OF UPDATE:  Too late!

Ron Coleman

LIKELIHOOD OF CONFUSION blog author Ron Coleman is a member of Dhillon Law Group in their New York City and Montclair, New Jersey offices. He is a graduate of Northwestern University School of Law and Princeton University.

One Reply to “Don’t cross J&J”

  1. I’m soliciting ideas for negotiated resolutions and would love to hear yours AND your readers here.

    Love your blog by the way & am a regular reader. You are the minimalist I long to be.Best, Vickie

    Thanks, Vickie. “Minimalist” — in which laziness is a virtue!

    I have put your inquiry directly into the post, by the way — could be an interesting exercise! — RDC

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