Up suing Lionel

[dehusman]

One part of this discussion that everybody misses is the railroad is not licensing its logos. The UP Corporation is. The UP is not just a railroad. The UP and its predecessors have been land developers, mining companies, communications companies, chemical companies, information technologies, software development, cement plants, trucking companies, airfreight companies, distribution services, logistics services and so on and so on. And a railroad too.

Yes its unlikely that somebody in Malaysia will start a railroad and call it the UP. But what about a package delivery company that calls itself "UP Overnite Delivery" and uses the shield for its logo. That could happen and that could confuse the user to think that company was associated with the UP Corporation. How about a company that sells inventory management software and calls itself the UP Business Software company. If the UP copyrights its logo against that usage it has to copyright against all usage.

Dave H.

[daveklepper]

I think it is wrong to beat up on the UP. Everyone has a right to protect their name. And obviously UP is not charging an arm and a leg. I think it is wrong to challange them and I understand their case. This is my opinion after learning what the fees are.

[Anonymous]

How the times change! Years ago, the railroads used to pay model train manufacturers to produce models of trains of theirs. When Lionel first realeased their F3 diesels in 1948, the cost of producing them was split 4 ways between Lionel, Santa Fe, NYC and GM. This is only one such example. There are other cases, too. Railroads often were more than happy to provide blueprints of their locomotives to model train companies who wanted them.