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T-Mobile demand Lemonade to stop using the color magenta

thehustle.co

121–130 of 158 posts

Re: T-Mobile demand Lemonade to stop using the color magenta

#121

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yeah I don't understand their reasoning here. If some cell service company started using the colors of verizon/sprint/T-mobile I could see that as confusing and potentially misleading. But outside of their market, they should have no say on who uses that color.

From the article, there is overlap in their markets. To add even more color to the kerfuffle, Lemonade filed a motion yesterday with the European intellectual property office to loosen Deutsche’s legal vice-grip on the color, and has petitioned to remove DT’s color-rights on magenta in the insurance sector. The problem is, T-Mobile actually does offer insurance on services like cybersecurity and tech-gadget protectio…

Please don't quote with code blocks. It's painful to scroll horizontally, especially for mobile users.

Without code blocks:

> To add even more color to the kerfuffle, Lemonade filed a motion yesterday with the European intellectual property office to loosen Deutsche’s legal vice-grip on the color, and has petitioned to remove DT’s color-rights on magenta in the insurance sector.

> The problem is, T-Mobile actually does offer insurance on services like cybersecurity and tech-gadget protection policies, which could add a touch of gray to the magenta dispute.

Re: T-Mobile demand Lemonade to stop using the color magenta

#122
The “protect people from counterfeiters” argument is a laughable defense

This is supply side protectionism at its root

Release a proper spec and let people implement

These rules enable protection for a middle man who owns a logo but otherwise produces none of the physical equipment or theory behind the functionality itself

It’s exactly the sort of nonsense ownership we need less of

Make these CEO actually contribute literally not through popularity contests and regulatory capture

Re: T-Mobile demand Lemonade to stop using the color magenta

#123
post #9

For some background, the reason these laws exist is to protect consumers from counterfeiters. If someone produces jewelry in a clean baby blue box, customers will start to expect that same level of quality, etc. They will be ripped off if someone else uses the same packaging but a low quality product. However many things have to be considered from the consumers perspective. Is there likely confusion? Is one of the ma…

That would make sense if T-Mobile actually provided good service.

I've been on T-Mobile for 15 years and have had great service the whole time. There have been a few unexpected perks along the way as well that have helped me out, such as free wifi on flights and free international calls. Just thought I'd voice an opinion of someone who is satisfied with T-Mobile

Re: T-Mobile demand Lemonade to stop using the color magenta

#125

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That would make sense if T-Mobile actually provided good service.

Do they not? I certainly haven't had any problems with them, but I switched to them from Sprint, so my tolerance for sucktitude is a lot higher than average.

Depends. All cell phone companies have areas where they provide bad service, and areas of good service. T-mobile has historically had the least coverage, which is the greatest way to suck, but that has been changing.

Re: T-Mobile demand Lemonade to stop using the color magenta

#126
post #121

Earlier quoted context omitted.

From the article, there is overlap in their markets. To add even more color to the kerfuffle, Lemonade filed a motion yesterday with the European intellectual property office to loosen Deutsche’s legal vice-grip on the color, and has petitioned to remove DT’s color-rights on magenta in the insurance sector. The problem is, T-Mobile actually does offer insurance on services like cybersecurity and tech-gadget protectio…

Please don't quote with code blocks. It's painful to scroll horizontally, especially for mobile users. Without code blocks: > To add even more color to the kerfuffle, Lemonade filed a motion yesterday with the European intellectual property office to loosen Deutsche’s legal vice-grip on the color, and has petitioned to remove DT’s color-rights on magenta in the insurance sector. > The problem is, T-Mobile actually do…

This.

Re: T-Mobile demand Lemonade to stop using the color magenta

#127

Particularly ironic based on the history of the Beatles' "Apple Records" (music) suing Apple, Inc (tech) around apple logos. Here it's T-Mobile (tech) suing Lemonade (music) over a color.

Lemonade is an insurance company, not music.

Re: T-Mobile demand Lemonade to stop using the color magenta

#128

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Well, based on a 2017 version of their site in archive.org, their 'pink' is rgb(214, 0, 109) while T-Mobile's current pink is rgb(226, 0, 116). Not the same, but as a graphic designer, I think they'd be visually indistinguishable for most people unless comparing bordering swatches. But fuck T-Mobile though. Magenta is a primary color in most types of print. That they can somehow stop other people from using it is bul…

In the late 90's, early 2000's, they aggressively tried to intimidate each and everyone using the letter T for any marketing purposes.

I was surprised Apple didn't crack down harder on non-Apple iTech. That was legitimately confusing.

Re: T-Mobile demand Lemonade to stop using the color magenta

#129

Earlier quoted context omitted.

They both sell insurance, so one could argue they are in the same industry. Unless we're going to sub-divide insurance between Home/Car and Phone.

>They both sell insurance.. Does anyone know whether T-Mobile sell THEIR insurance or they act as brokers selling someone else's insurance (e.g. Allianz, AXA, etc.)? I also wonder the % of revenue of T-Mobile from insurance Vs their other business lines. (I don't really wonder)

Most consumer insurance companies are selling upstream insurance. They buy insurance wholesale, and then resell it making a cut and taking care of the customer facing part.

T-Mobile does the same. So in that way they're no different than any other type of consumer insurance company.

Re: T-Mobile demand Lemonade to stop using the color magenta

#130

Earlier quoted context omitted.

They both sell insurance, so one could argue they are in the same industry. Unless we're going to sub-divide insurance between Home/Car and Phone.

IMHO selling insurance as a form of extended warranty on a physical product is not the same thing. I see what you're saying but I just don't see the average consumer confusing the two brands just because T-Mobile happens to sell insurance for their phones. They also sell cell phones but I don't think of them as a cell phone company, they're simply a carrier.

T-Mobile don't just sell "extended warranties" they also sell theft, accidental damage, and similar even on phones (on their network) you didn't buy from them (e.g. €10/month). There's no distinction between what they do and other insurance companies insuring the same product class do.

So as I said, unless you sub-divide the insurance industry on arbitrary lines, they are both selling insurance to the consumer. Claiming that because it is only "extended warranties" (which it isn't anyway) isn't really a legal argument for trademark law. We're talking about markets here, they're both in the insurance market regardless of how you frame it.

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