
An Italian denim brand called "Jesus Jeans" won't turn the other cheek when it comes to its competition using the Lord's name.
After years of fighting to trademark the word "Jesus," the company was granted exclusive rights to it by the US Patent and Trademark Office in 2007.
Now, its taking legal action against anyone in the United States who attempts to start an apparel line with "Jesus" in the title, claiming it a matter of brand integrity.
Virginia entrepreneur Michael Julius Anton recently found this out the hard way when he tried to trademark his Christian t-shirt and surf accessory line "Jesus Surfed."
According to the Wall Street Journal, Anton received an email from Jesus Jeans' parent company BasicNet SpA asking him to abandon his application in November.
"If you do not agree, then Jesus Jeans reserves its right to an accounting/damages and all other appropriate relief with respect to your trademark and trademark application," it read.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/yourcommunity/2013/02/should-jesus-be-trademarked.html
Matt's thoughts:
Why would anyone be selling anything with the name "Jesus" on it anyway?
Nonetheless, best comment on the article:
"The Jews tried to keep Christ contained within their law, while the Greeks sought to turn Him into a philosophy; the Romans made of Him an empire; the Europeans reduced Him to a culture, so it's no surprise that in the 21st century the economic dynasty has turned Him into a business."