Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!uwm.edu!rpi!rpitsmts!forumexp
From: Greg_d._Moore@mts.rpi.edu (Commander Krugannal)
Newsgroups: sci.space.shuttle
Subject: Trademarks
Message-ID: <10556.989.forumexp@mts.rpi.edu>
Date: 4 Jan 90 04:00:00 GMT
Lines: 15


     Nothing to do with the shuttle? Hell they use Velcro all
   over the place! In fact NASA is researching a wing held together
   partly by velcro. 
      And you are confusing patents and trademarks. A patent can run
   out (17 years I believe). A trademark is forever unless it is
   ruled that the term has come into popular usage. Such as cellophane.
 
      And Velcro American Inc. (there are different companies owned
   in different countries. not sure who the parent is, but didn't
   think it was du Pont.) very vigoursly fights the illegal use
   of of the term Velcro(tm). I doubt they will give up all that
   easily. 
 
   Greg_d._Moore@mts.rpi.edu