two statements that inter-relate, are they true and what
references/comments/legal notes  exist to back them up, or to
contradict them?

(1) Brand protection is an essential part of US trademarks?

(2) So why isn't Viagra protecting it's name from spammers (or is it)?

---

Clarification of Question by ideasmerchant-ga on 29 Oct 2004 02:14 PDT

I had read what the BBC had written and that was my main reason for
starting to think about this ...

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Clarification of Question by ideasmerchant-ga on 01 Nov 2004 03:41 PST

has the manufacturere of viagra written anything about the legal
implications of spam in relation to its trademark ... or has any
trademark organisation?

---

Request for Question Clarification by pafalafa-ga on 07 Nov 2004 19:18 PST

Hello ideasmerchant-ga,

I enjoy researching trademark-related questions, but I'm not 100% sure
what sort of information you're looking for here.

The manufacturers of Viagra have an entire webpage devoted to the
problems of spam/phone websites/fake Viagra:


http://www.viagra.com/buyviagraonline/fakeviagra.asp

==========
Beware of fake VIAGRA sold online. These drugs:

Are not approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) 
Are considered illegal by the US government 
Can contain unknown and potentially harmful substances 
Can be made in developing countries like India or in unregulated factories 
Are not proven to be safe or effective 
Web sites selling fake VIAGRA often:

Look legitimate and professional, but are not 
Sound very convincing, but lie or mislead 
Make claims that are deceiving 
About 350,000 Web sites sell fake VIAGRA or send you to a site that
does. Pfizer and the FDA work to shut down these illegal sites, but
new ones pop up every day.

Don?t risk your health. Learn how to protect yourself.
==========

They also have this to say about trademarks:

"Trademarks. All product names, whether or not appearing in large
print or with the trademark symbol, are trademarks of Pfizer, its
affiliates, related companies or its licensors or joint venture
partners, unless otherwise noted. The use or misuse of these
trademarks or any other materials, except as permitted herein, is
expressly prohibited and may be in violation of copyright law,
trademark law, the law of slander and libel, the law of privacy and
publicity, and communications regulations and statutes. Please be
advised that Pfizer actively and aggressively enforces its
intellectual property rights to the fullest extent of the law."


Beyond that, what sort of information are you seeking...?

Let me know.


pafalafa-ga

This may be helpful:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/3538078.stm