Author
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Topic: Trademarks for Space Shuttle Atlantis (DNC)
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Robert Pearlman Editor Posts: 42988 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 01-08-2016 06:45 PM
collectSPACE Space Shuttle Atlantis™: Legal filing cites service mark for NASA spacecraftA lawsuit filed by the former concessionaire for Yosemite National Park against the federal government has raised a seemingly unrelated query: Who owns Space Shuttle Atlantis? ...in a response to a lawsuit over the value of Yosemite-related trademarks registered by DNC Parks & Resorts at Yosemite (DNCY), the park's concessionaire until this year, the U.S. Justice Department raised a concern. "DNCY's parent company has apparently embarked on a business model whereby it collects trademarks to the names of iconic property owned by the United States," wrote Deputy Assistant Attorney General Benjamin Mizer in a Jan. 4 answer to the lawsuit. "Thus, for example, DNC [Delaware North Companies], which has a concession at the Kennedy Space Center, has a trademark application for the words 'Space Shuttle Atlantis.'" |
DeepSea Member Posts: 68 From: Registered: Jun 2014
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posted 01-08-2016 11:22 PM
Believe it has been established, as pointed out, that they were not seeking to trademark 'Space Shuttle Atlantis', which they would not be allowed to do as it is generic, but instead the logo they designed where the 'A' in Atlantis is built into the right wing of the stacked Orbiter. |
Robert Pearlman Editor Posts: 42988 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 01-08-2016 11:29 PM
There are two service marks: a logo treatment (as described and pictured in the article) and a word mark. As such, the trademarks cover the logo and name of the attraction, which also happens to be "Space Shuttle Atlantis." The marks protect the exhibit's logo design for retail use (i.e. souvenirs) and prevents against the unlikely situation someone would try to open another exhibit named Space Shuttle Atlantis. |
OV-105 Member Posts: 816 From: Ridgecrest, CA Registered: Sep 2000
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posted 01-10-2016 08:45 AM
I can see why they are doing this. It is for money. They want people buying Atlantis stuff from them and not someone sell a cheap $5 T-shirt across the street. |
Robert Pearlman Editor Posts: 42988 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 01-10-2016 09:50 AM
And that money in turn pays for the exhibit. Even though NASA owns the Visitor Complex, no public funds are used for its operation or expansion. |
mode1charlie Member Posts: 1169 From: Honolulu, HI Registered: Sep 2010
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posted 01-17-2016 02:57 PM
Delaware North is also involved in a similar dispute over the names of iconic properties at Yosemite National Park.The names of iconic hotels and other landmarks in Yosemite National Park will soon change in an ongoing battle over who owns the intellectual property, park officials said Thursday.The luxurious Ahwahnee Hotel will become the Majestic Yosemite Hotel, and Curry Village will become Half Dome Village, said park spokesman Scott Gediman. The move comes in an ongoing dispute with Delaware North, the company that recently lost a $2 billion bid — the National Park Service’s largest single contract — to run Yosemite’s hotels, restaurants and outdoor activities. Delaware North demands to be paid $51 million for the names and other intellectual property. Personally, I will not be buying any more merchandise at KSC as long as Delaware North is running the concession. And I'll bring my own lunches, for that matter. |
Robert Pearlman Editor Posts: 42988 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 01-17-2016 04:13 PM
The concession sales (tickets, food and souvenirs) are what pay for the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. Of course you are only obligated to buy admission tickets — food and souvenirs are optional — but without those sales, there are no expanded bus tours, no Shuttle Launch Experience, no Space Shuttle Atlantis exhibit or Heroes & Legends (featuring the Astronaut Hall of Fame) opening later this year.Unlike at Yosemite, at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, all decisions are made hand-in-hand between NASA and Delaware North. That means that NASA approved DNC's registration of the trademarks. |