Fake Pi Kappa Phi Chapter!?!

[madmax]

Originally posted by shadokat
wptw,

The words Tau Kappa Epsilon are a registered trademark with the Patent and Trademark office. I don't know if you add society or order if you can use it. I would be willing to bet that SOME infringement would apply.

DPhiE is trademarked and I think there is another Glo that uses those letters.

Does anyone know anything on Trademark/Copyright law?

I am just curious.

[wptw]

Just because there's a "Tau Kappa Epsilon International Fraternity, Inc." out there does not necessarily prohibit me from starting a group and calling it Tau Kappa Epsilon.

Think about how many "Smith Chevrolet" dealerships or "Bob's Restaurants" there must be in this country. Same deal.

Greek letters are just that - letters. There's only so much legal protection you can give to a name consisting of 3 greek letters. It's not like they came up with something completely original like "Xerox" or anything - they just plunked three letters together. That's bound to produce duplication.

The trouble only begins when I try to use someone else's protected mark for profit or to enhance the recognition of my own group. So I'm fine as long as my hypothetical fledgling TKE group does not use a similar crest or badge, or in any way try to identify itself with the national group.

wptw