XM Takes A Pass
By Joseph Palenchar -- TWICE, 6/15/2006
New York – XM Satellite Radio’s Passport tuners might get a name change.
The company is in discussions with Escort, maker of Passport-branded radar detectors, over the use of the trademarked name on XM’s 9-volt-battery-size tuners, according to sources familiar with the discussions.
Although a name change hasn’t been finalized, XM is considering a change to Pass from Passport, as evidenced by an Audiovox press release that referred to XM Pass tuners. The name Pass, however, is trademarked by another CE maker. That company, Pass Labs, makes high-end audio amplifiers, preamps, speakers and other audio electronics.
Pass Labs founder Nelson Pass called it “unlikely there will be market confusion” between XM and Pass Labs products, but “we might have to pass this along to our attorney to make arrangements to avoid problems in the future” in case, for example, Pass Labs intends to market a tuner, or XM decides to market amplifiers, he said. Pass has trademarked both the Pass and Pass Labs names.
Escort declined comment.
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