Bose Says It Tried To Resolve Issues In CEDIA Dispute
By Joseph Palenchar -- TWICE, 12/8/2003
FRAMINGHAM, MASS.— Bose petitioned the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office to cancel CEDIA's "Lifestyle Electronics" trademark registrations only after it "tried to amicably resolve this issue," a Bose spokeswoman said.
"Bose filed a petition to cancel later registrations of 'Lifestyle Electronics' based upon the Bose incontestable, long-prior rights to its famous trademark 'Lifestyle,' " she said. "Bose has been selling Lifestyle music systems to consumers since 1990 [and] sold many Lifestyle music systems through custom installers in the custom electronic design and installation industry."
"The Bose trademark for 'Lifestyle' is incontestably registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office and confers on Bose the exclusive right to use 'Lifestyle' in connection with music systems," she continued. "Bose has tried to amicably resolve this issue. As a founding member of CEDIA, we have great respect for its members and the overall objectives of the organization."
CEDIA began using "Electronic Lifestyles" in 1995, and in 1998-99, CEDIA said it received four federal trademark registrations for the term. CEDIA president Ray Lepper called the complaint "ludicrous" and said CEDIA is defending itself before the trademark office.
