SKIRMISHER

Despite the fact that an Indonesian apparel maker’s “Intel Jeans” didn’t look a bit like the computer chips we fondly use but never bother to actually wear, Intel won in the legal battle it had waged to protect its brand.

The Supreme Court has canceled a local apparel maker’s domestic trademark, ruling that the world’s biggest chip maker was entitled to copyright protection as a well-known brand in spite of the fact that Intel Jeans products bore no resemblance to electronic chips.

“This is a good decision for Intel, but it’s also a good decision for other well-known brand names who haven’t had their trademarks recognised by the courts,” said Sarah Holder, a legal consultant. “This is a very positive step forward because it solidifies the way Indonesia is meeting its international obligations.”

Intel is still fighting what is now a 13-year legal battle against another Indonesian company using the Intel name. Lawyers and intellectual property experts said it was still likely to be years before intellectual property protection was sufficiently enforced in Indonesian culture for foreign investors to have confidence in the market.

So if you’re thinking about putting up a company that makes “Microsoft hot pink thongs,” better think again.

via TECHDIRT

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