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.

“Follow your dreams.”  It seems that we have heard this adage so many times throughout our lives, but exactly how many people in the world can truly say that they have taken this advice to heart?

For three Columbia University graduates, following their dreams, or rather, following their sweet tooth is exactly what they did.

CNN reports the story of three young men who started their own business selling customized chocolate after being unhappy working in the financial world.  The new business entrepreneurs state that they came up with their idea one day after a bunch of chocolate and other candies melted together in the backseat of one of their cars.  Not wanting the candy to go to waste, they put the mixed candy concoction in the refrigerator; presto, customized chocolate bars with gummy bears and marshmallows. 

The three friends launched their website that offers buyers the possibility of adding a multitude of ingredients into a chocolate bar.  Success was quick, with the company, “Chocomize” making a profit soon after launching. 

Of course not every idea becomes a success overnight, but Chocomize illustrates that with the right ingredients, success is possible.

Broccoli.   Who knew that the vegetable most of us despised as children would soon become the fodder for a landmark European patent case.  You read correctly, a European company called Plant Bioscience, Ltd. received a patent for broccoli which has high concentrations of anti-carcinogen properties.  Good for the world, debatable for our taste buds.While it is not uncommon for the Patent Office to issue a patent for the technical aspect of how to create a new plant, it is uncommon to issue a patent on the plants selected themselves.  A Swiss company is arguing that this patent effectively gives Plant Bioscience a patent on broccoli itself.

Get ready to add the butter, because this situation just got even unhealthier.  Many European countries disagree with patenting vegetables because they believe that it will result in other produce being harder to find.  Consumers will then be left with the higher priced patented vegetables, and no cheaper alternative.

Should vegetables be patented or should biological developments that help all people be accessible to all people?  Like mother always said, “make sure you eat your vegetables.”