Comedian Al Franken's publisher just ordered a fifth printing of his book, Lies and the Lying Liars Who Tell Them: A Fair and Balanced Look at the Right, following Franken's legal victory over Fox News and right-wing windbag Bill O'Reilly, who tried to sue Franken on the basis that Fox had trademarked "Fair and Balanced." Mr. O'Reilly, any comments?
Bill O'Reilly: Well, I just want to sa—
Gawker: Shut up! Just shut up!
O'Reilly:...
Gawker:Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.

Trademark infringement is unquestionably the lawsuit du jour"the new black," so to speak. And it could happen to anyone. You may be infringing on someone's trademark right now. As usual, this reminds me of a SPY article from 1989. [I'll stop obsessing when I find something funnier.] A "clip 'n' save service feature," to be specific. The following phrases are trademarked (and slightly dated):
· "Common Sense" [The Kellogg Company]
· "Kansas" [Kansas, the band]
· "Time to Read" [Time, Inc.]
· "Wish You Were Here" [Hyatt Hotels]
· "Desert" [Clarks Shoes]

I'm just warning you.
Franken takes a victory lap [Publisher's Weekly]
"Anything you say may be used against you" [SPY - June 1989]