Clever Canadians

Yep we are smarter than Americans and the French. That's cause we are a bilingual nation. Double the smarts. Double the Fun. Hmmm wonder if I could get in trouble for that last line? Not any more thanks to the Supremes. Throw another steak on the Barbie.

Supreme Court sides with restaurant in Barbie trademark dispute

The Supreme Court of Canada has found Canadians are unlikely to confuse Barbie dolls with a Montreal restaurant, or mistake Veueve Clicquot champagne for a chain of women's clothing stores.

In a rare and closely-watched judgment on trade-marks, the court ruled that "famous" trademarks do not extend to different products or services that cannot be confused with the original.

"The fact of being famous or well known does not by itself provide absolute protection for a trade-mark," the court declared.

Mattel Inc., the maker of Barbie dolls and owner of the Barbie trade-mark, was trying to prevent a Montreal business owner from registering the name Barbie's Bar and Grill. It argued that the "aura" of Barbie dolls goes beyond the line of children's toys.

Veuve Clicquot, the French champagne maker, was opposed to a women's retailer calling its chain of six stores in Ontario and Quebec Les Boutique Cliquot.

And just in case you can't tell the difference......


Barbie and friend



Grill











Champagne


Lingerie






















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