BRANDS GO BUST

Brands often tend to have life cycles.  Even longstanding or big-name brands may inevitably die out.  With trademarks and trademark law being strongly linked to brands (sometimes the terms “brand” and “trademark” are even used synonymously), the death of a brand can raise interesting trademark-related issues.  For example, questions arise as to whether, or when, others are free to pick up and start using the trademark of a defunct brand.  For a list of some familiar brands that appear to be on the brink, click here.