Bugatti name, for use in furniture

[lmaedgen]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? California
My boss wants to name a new sofa that we are producing "Bugatti", but I was concerned that this name has a trademark, although not for furniture. Is it legal for us to name a sofa "Bugatti", or would that be an infringement of their trademark?

 

[quincy]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? California
My boss wants to name a new sofa that we are producing "Bugatti", but I was concerned that this name has a trademark, although not for furniture. Is it legal for us to name a sofa "Bugatti", or would that be an infringement of their trademark?

I recommend your boss find a name for the couch that is not a famous trademark. You run into legal issues when using trademarks without authorization from the trademark holders.

 

[justalayman]

You might try googling Carlo Bugatti or Bugatti furniture. Cars aren't the only thing the Bugatti family is known for.

 

[quincy]

You might try googling Carlo Bugatti or Bugatti furniture. Cars aren't the only thing the Bugatti family is known for.

And even if cars were all that was produced under the Bugatti name, the holder of a famous trademark generally can prevent all others from using the mark - even on unrelated products - because other uses could be seen as diluting the value of the famous mark, or seen as trading off the reputation of the famous mark ... as well as potentially violating an assortment of other state unfair business practices laws.

It is strongly recommended that you avoid using famous trademarks without authorization from the trademark holders. You are asking for a cease and desist letter at a best and a costly lawsuit at worst otherwise.

 

[adjusterjack]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? California
My boss wants to name a new sofa that we are producing "Bugatti", but I was concerned that this name has a trademark, although not for furniture. Is it legal for us to name a sofa "Bugatti", or would that be an infringement of their trademark?

If that catches on next thing you know we'll have:

Chevrolet breakfast cereal.
Toyota cookware.
Chrysler toilets.
Ford TV sets.
Maserati computers.

 

[lmaedgen]

Ashley Furniture vs Humphrey Bogart estate.

Thanks! I had an idea that that was the case. I read an article about Ashley Furniture being sued over the use of the name "Bogart" for one of their furniture pieces. At least now I can tell my boss that she definitely should not use Bugatti as a name for a furniture line.

I have started coming up with alternate names for the sofa.

 

[xylene]

Baogartti

 

[quincy]

Thanks! I had an idea that that was the case. I read an article about Ashley Furniture being sued over the use of the name "Bogart" for one of their furniture pieces. At least now I can tell my boss that she definitely should not use Bugatti as a name for a furniture line.

I have started coming up with alternate names for the sofa.

Finding a different name under which to promote the couch is smart, as was your decision to check out the legality of adopting a famous trademark for your own purposes before using the trademark. Many will act first and seek advice only after they have been sued.