Barking Mad To Run
A Norwegian apparel company has little left to say besides "balls!" after its trademark application for men's underwear was denied by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. The reason: vulgarity.
Tonic Brands A.S. in October was denied a federal trademark registration for the word "Comfyballs" The Telegraph reported this week.
The PTO refused to register the trademark because the word "balls," when used to mean "testicles," is considered vulgar by a substantial number of Americans.
"In the context of the applicant's goods, the mark, "COMPFYBALLS," [sic] means only one thing -- that a man's testicles, or 'balls,' will be comfortable in the applicant's undergarments," the PTO's denial reads. "The mark does not create a double entendre or other idiomatic expression. It is a straightforward use of the word 'balls' instead of testicles."
The underwear has a specially designed pouch to cradle the male genitals -- hence the name.
To be clear, the PTO's decision does not bar the company from selling its underwear in America under the name "Comfyballs." But it does mean the trademark would have weaker legal protection than trademarks that are federally registered.
Full story here: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/12/11/comfyballs-trademark_n_6304094.html?utm_hp_ref=business
"Do what you can, with what you have, where you are." Theodore Roosevelt
And to answer the question of "should I wear shorts over my tights?". In this case, ABSOLUTELY.
Should they have gone with Richard Sachs?