Why is the blu-ray name trademarked and dvd isn't?

[yoda313]

I just saw a commercial for a new movie on bluray and dvd. There was the tm trademark abbreviation next to the word blu-ray on the screen.

Why is blu-ray trademarked and dvd isn't?

Just below it said dvd to show its on both formats but dvd wasn't trademarked.

[redwudz]

DVD is also a trademark, but no idea why it isn't marked as such. http://www.dvdfllc.co.jp/logo/lg_nature.html

[yoda313]

DVD is also a trademark, but no idea why it isn't marked as such. http://www.dvdfllc.co.jp/logo/lg_nature.html

Thanks redwudz.

Maybe there is some time limit of when you have to use it? Maybe after so many years they aren't required to show the little tm above the name?

Or there is probably some other legalese angle here that only copyright lawyers would know about......

[mrswla]

Maybe it has something to do with them not being able to make up their minds on what DVD stands for. What does DVD stand for:

1. Digital Video Disc
2. Digital Versatile Disc or
3. Downgraded Video on Disc

[DB83]

Doesn't the usage of the dvd logo apply to the hardware as opposed to the media ?

[yoda313]

Maybe it has something to do with them not being able to make up their minds on what DVD stands for. What does DVD stand for:

1. Digital Video Disc
2. Digital Versatile Disc

Good point who knows - I left off your last comment for its sarcarsm

Doesn't the usage of the dvd logo apply to the hardware as opposed to the media ?

But you can't have one without the other right?

[El Heggunte]

What does DVD stand for:
3. Downgraded Video on Disc

Granted

1. Digital Video Disc

Everything began with the olde and goode VCD,
aka "Compact Disc — Digital Video"

2. Digital Versatile Disc

Should be the "logical" choice. But, as we all know very-well,
the "marketing people" don't like logic very-much.

[lordsmurf]

The official logo has a trademark.
I'm still using the EPS that I was given about 10 years ago.

The tiny "TM" letter set scales poorly, so it tends to be removed for spines.

[AlanHK]

There is no law that requires you to insert the TM symbol every time you mention a trademark.

Companies like to do it if they want to remind you of the fact, but it makes no difference to whether the trademark exists or not.

[DB83]

What I have difficulty getting my head around is this quote from their compliance blurb (from above link):

"1)Legitimacy
As the owner of the trademark, the DVD Logo, and its Licensor, DVD Format/Logo Licensing Corporation (DVD FLLC) authorizes the DVD Logo use. Only our Licensees are permitted to use the DVD Format Specifications and the DVD Logo for their products."

Take that to its logical conclusion and every company, or individual that creates a sleeve, that produces a DVD disk would need to have a licence. Do they ?"

[lordsmurf]

Yes.

Pay close attention to Disney, who doesn't use the DVD Forum logo.
Most public domain pieces are alternate DVD lettering, not the official logo.

This is generally enforced by the replication/packaging companies.

[dvdsham]

I've seen the TM inside the hole of the DVD logo on some packaging.

[AlanHK]

What I have difficulty getting my head around is this quote from their compliance blurb (from above link):

"1)Legitimacy
As the owner of the trademark, the DVD Logo, and its Licensor, DVD Format/Logo Licensing Corporation (DVD FLLC) authorizes the DVD Logo use. Only our Licensees are permitted to use the DVD Format Specifications and the DVD Logo for their products."

Take that to its logical conclusion and every company, or individual that creates a sleeve, that produces a DVD disk would need to have a licence. Do they ?"

IF they want to use the logo, they do.

A company could probably produce and sell "DVD compatible" discs and sell them without the logo.

But there is also the separate question of patents that cover the technology.

[DB83]

Yes.

Pay close attention to Disney, who doesn't use the DVD Forum logo.
Most public domain pieces are alternate DVD lettering, not the official logo.

This is generally enforced by the replication/packaging companies.

OK. I do not have any Disney disks to check but the replication plant would have to have a licence else it could not produce a disk that complies with the dvd specifications ? And every authoring package as well ?

As you see I am in a pedantic mood today