<Misc> Kidney grills

["Wesleyan Hsu" <wes@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Does BMW have a trademark on the kidney grills? I remember a few years back
(3-4) when Pontiac and BMW were duking it out over the kidney grills. That
particular year was the year Pontiac decided to start branding their cars
(where all cars would have similar features so anyone could instantly tell
it's a Pontiac). All Pontiac vehicles, save the Sunfire, have what Pontiac
also calls the kidney grills. I never did hear the outcome of the battle.
But, I'm sure they worked it out such that they each have trademarks on
their respective grills.

Wesleyan Hsu
'95 325i
BMW CCA 162477 / NCC


>Date: Sat, 5 Dec 1998 01:42:59 -0500
>From: "Brett Anderson" <bretta@domain.elided>
>Subject: Re: Logo                                             BA
>
>This may come as a shock to the masses, but BMW will not only threaten
>legal action over unauthorized use of the roundel, but also, the kidney
>grilles.
>
>The Kidney Grilles are a trademark of BMW.   They control the rights to
>them just as they do the Roundel.
>
>As BMW is the only manufacturer in the world to use such a distinctive
>grille design, they can claim that any use of said grille design is
>indicative of a BMW, therefore, covered under their product ownership.

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