The Legal Show Who Owns "Pride"?

Attorney Sarah Steele and writer Bennet Pomerantz discuss the subjects of the day. 

The audience should know that although Ms. Steele is a licensed attorney, she is not offering legal advice in any capacity, is not establishing an attorney/client relationship with anyone listening to the show, and recommends that any listener of the show consult a local attorney for any legal advice they may require.

This show is about us discussing hot topics and how they relate to the law.
Tonight we discuss the topic of common usage and trademarks.  In New York City right now there is a pending case that asks the question, “Can one group own Gay Pride? Heritage of Pride, Inc., is a nonprofit organization in New York responsible for organizing the city’s annual Gay Pride Parade as well as other Pride related events.  However, it is not the only group that organizes Pride events and, as a result, are coming under fire.  In 2011, Heritage filed a trademark claim to the phrase “NYC Pride,” and is now trying to enjoin other promoters, specifically gay promoters Brandon Voss and Jake Resnicow.  One is not allowed to trademark a concept such as “Pride,” but what about the name? Tune in as Bennet and Sarah discuss this intellectual property quagmire.