MPR sues Gore's TV network over the Trademark "Current"

[CatholicEdHead]

As we know, MPR has the rebranded WCAL which is KCMP 89.3 "The Current" with the main tower in Northfield (and secondary tower near Rochester 88.7). MPR is suing Al Gore's "Current TV" over the trademark rights of "Current".

I think MPR is wasting their time and energy on this. Television and Radio are two different things, they are not the same type of media so this should not be an issue. I hope Bill Kling goes on Midday soon to talk about this.

http://www.startribune.com/459/story/264085.html

"Fresh off a trademark skirmish with a local web site, Minnesota Public Radio (MPR) is taking on a bigger target: Al Gore and his Internet television network, Current TV.

A suit filed in U.S. District Court in Minnesota claims that Current TV LLC, based in San Francisco, is interfering with the trademark of MPR's mold-breaking music station the Current -- broadcast locally on 89.3 and 88.7 FM, but also transmitted via the internet -- causing confusion among potential consumers.

MPR estimates that 37 percent of the Current's listeners are from outside Minnesota, including many abroad, said communications director Jennifer Syltie Johnson.

Current TV (www.currenttv.com) is a national cable and satellite channel that features alternative news and "citizen journalism," or amateurs who send in their own news and videos. It is geared to a young audience often turned off by traditional media. According to its web site, viewers contribute about one-third of the station's content. Gore was among those who founded the concept."

[ISUGRADIA]

1. I'm not sure, they may have a strong case given a recent case

The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and World Wrestling Federation (WWF) are two toally different groups with little in common, but the World Wildlife Fund was able to win a suit of trademark infringement against the World Wrestling Federation to stop the use of WWF. That's why it's now the World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE).

[scratchtasia]

2. What a nice waste of funding

I wouldn't donate any money to MPR if this is the way they're going to spend it.

[CatholicEdHead]

5. I agree this is not the way to use donated funding dollars

[Lydia Leftcoast]

3. What a stupid thing to sue about

In fact, I think the TV station had the name first.

When I heard what they were going to call the ex-WCAL, I thought, "That must be the trendy name nowadays," because I already knew that Gore's venture was going to be called "Current TV."

[goodhue]

4. I've been wondering about this issue

I think MPR has good case presuming they registered their mark.