In most areas of the world, uttering the name “Madonna” will surely get some reaction.  Ever since she began her reign as one of the queens of pop, Madonna has been all over the news for better or worse.  Of interest to many of my readers, this time, Madonna is being sued for trademark infringement; and for none other than being the “Material Girl” that she is.

On August 19, 2010, LA Triumph filed a suit against Madonna for Madonna’s new clothing line, “Material Girl”.  Apparently, LA Triumph has been selling a line with the same name since 1997, while Madonna just recently launched her line.  Should have thought of it sooner Maddy.

The problem is that both LA Triumph and Madonna are selling clothes under the same name, at the same stores (mainly stores like Nordstrom’s and other major department stores), to the same clientele, at about the same price.  LA Triumph’s lawyers state that Madonna will overshadow their client’s line, and confuse buyers.

So what do you think?  Should LA Triumph be able to stop Madonna, the true “Material Girl”, from selling clothes under a name that she popularized?  After all, we are living in a material world.   

Most of us have seen the show; we may not want to admit it, but we have at one point been completely enthralled by our guilty pleasure.  I am of course talking about the fist-pumping, fake-tanned, jersey-licious, MTV hit series, “The Jersey Shore.”

“The Jersey Shore” has exploded in popularity since its premier last year.  One of the best aspects of the show, or maybe one of the worst, is the vivacious personalities of the cast.  With names like “Snooki” and “The Situation”, how can they be anything but over the top?

In fact, the characters Snooki and The Situation have become so popular that they both have tried to trademark their names.  That’s right, you read that correctly; can we get any more narcissistic?  But seriously, it was just announced that Snooki” was denied her trademark because the mark is already taken.  By whom, you may ask?  The name “Snooki” was already registered by the 2004 children’s book called, “Adventures of Snooky.”  Yes, “Snooky” is the name of a cat in a children’s book.  Even though the last letter differs, our “Jersey Shore” Snooki was denied.

I have a feeling that Snooki will not be stopped by this minor setback and will probably fight the Trademark Attorney’s denial.  Either way, in the words of New Jersey Governor, Chris Christie, “The Jersey shore is a beautiful place.”

In our everyday lives, we often do not see the effects of trademark law at work.  I mean, how often do you walk down the street and see a shop owner sadly wiping away their sign, cursing the Trademark Office with a fist to the sky?  Maybe that was a little dramatic, but you probably do not see that too often.

However, newly popular television show “Cake Boss” is having just that problem.  Very recently, a judge ruled that the TLC show must change its name because the name “Cake Boss” is already in use.  The culprit: a software program for chefs by the same name.

The software program has been using the name since 2007, and since the show only picked up the name in 2009, the judge ruled that the software program has dibs.  But this does not mean that the situation is completely sour milk and sugarless cookies.  In fact, it’s possible that a name change just might serve the show formerly known as “Cake Boss” well.  A new name always equals new products and new collector’s items.

The new show has not yet released its new name, though for all those familiar with the fast-talking Italian based show, I am thinking Sugar’s Cake Shop will not quite fit the bill.  Darn, I liked that one.