So, in case you haven't heard, I am in the midst of a trademark dispute with HBO over my company's name, Health and the City.
I have been written up in the Wall Street Journal, on the WSJ law blog, and had an interview today on NPR. Pretty exciting stuff.
However, what's not exciting is how this all started. A year ago I applied for a trademark. Over the summer I found out through postcards from the USPTO that HBO was delaying the process by extending the time to oppose my application. I was contacted by their lawyers and was asked to withdraw my application or to change my name to Health In the City. This would cost me thousands of dollars, so I declined. HBO has until November 18th to oppose my trademark. If they do, I will have to go through litigation and the final decision will be up to a judge.
Anybody can clearly see that my company has nothing to do with Carrie Bradshaw screwing up her relationships or Samantha sleeping with half of the city.
This is clearly a case of a small business owner getting bullied around on the playground of Corporate America. HBO is sending out a sign to their demographic that they don't want to see a young woman get ahead. They would rather give her a hard time, because they can.
With their new movie coming out I think this is truly a poor decision on their part. I currently have the support of many members of a large women's networking organization called Ladies Who Launch.
People, do you know what can happen when you put a large number of powerful women behind a movement?
Let's see.........
Labels: HBO, jennifer cassetta, NPR, Sex and the City, trademark, Wall Street Journal
