Forums: Discussions for entrepreneurs and small business.

Applicant Heeb Media, LLC argued  tried to register the trademark "HEEB" for clothing and entertainment services.  The application was ultimately denied because the TTAB said a substantial composite of the Jewish community would view the term as disparaging.  I personally have never even heard the term.  Is the word "HEEB" disparaging to you?

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James Lindon, Ph.D. Patent Attorney
Lindon & Lindon, LLC
Cleveland, Ohio
Patents, Trademarks, Copyrights, Pharmacy Law, Litigation
[this is not legal advice - provided for discussion only]
Intellectual Property for the Individual and Small Business: Identify, Protect, Enforce, Defend.
"Fools rush in where angels fear to tread."
http://www.LindonLaw.com

"Heeb" is definitely a well known Jewish slur.  It still seems to be an odd reason to deny a trademark.  I wonder exactly how disparaging a word has to be to warrant a denial.


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Webii Design Ninjas - Unstoppable Austin Web Design       
Online Ordering for Restaurant Websites

One irony here is that the company appears to be marketing TO Jewish people, which would imply that the word is not intended to be insulting TO Jewish people. 

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James Lindon, Ph.D. Patent Attorney
Lindon & Lindon, LLC
Cleveland, Ohio
Patents, Trademarks, Copyrights, Pharmacy Law, Litigation
[this is not legal advice - provided for discussion only]
Intellectual Property for the Individual and Small Business: Identify, Protect, Enforce, Defend.
"Fools rush in where angels fear to tread."
http://www.LindonLaw.com

I think it is a personal issue. I`m Jewish and if I`m called a Heeb, which is only short for Hebrew,  I`m not insulted.... What do you think they called the Jewish people back in the biblical days, Heebs and probably worse!

Today`s society always seem to get their nose out of joint if they hear something that CAN be a slur, but is not intended to be a slur. In my viewpoint, calling a Jewish person a Heeb, is similar to calling an Afro-American, a black person... it is what it is!

Poor choice of company name, in my opinion. With the countless other name options, there were other, better names. Why not sell products to the Asian community and call the company "Chink, Inc.?"

The readers of Heeb Magazine certainly don`t find it offensive. It`s pure sarcasm. (It`s also quite an excellent publication geared toward the young and hip Jewish community. I have a friend who subscribes, he was especially thrilled with this year`s Jewish swimsuit calendar.)