Path: utzoo!attcan!uunet!ginosko!gem.mps.ohio-state.edu!tut.cis.ohio-state.edu!ucbvax!decwrl!shlump.nac.dec.com!shodha.dec.com!devine
From: devine@shodha.dec.com (Bob Devine)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.dec
Subject: Re: Sears VAX
Message-ID: <393@shodha.dec.com>
Date: 24 Aug 89 23:34:30 GMT
References: <675@uakari.primate.wisc.edu>
Organization: Digital Equipment Corp. - Colorado Springs, CO.
Lines: 14

In article <675@uakari.primate.wisc.edu>, bin@primate.wisc.edu (Brain in Neutral) writes:
> So how does Sears get away with calling this vacuum cleaner of theirs a VAX?
> Isn't that name trademarked or something by Digital?

  It is legally permissible to use the same name for two products
if both are sufficiently distinct from each other.  What `sufficiently'
means often forms the basis for litigation -- witness McDonald's
corporation's glee is attacking any company that puts a "Mc" in
front of its name.

  Actually on second thought, some of the bigger VAXen have strong
enough cooling fans that they almost could be considered vacuum cleaners! ;-)

Bob Devine