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There is a news article in today's Sydney Morning Herald about a legal fight that Speedo are having with Dave.

http://www.smh.com.au/business/speedo-i ... 1klbp.html

Yeah a little bit of main stream press about.

I've written about it in detail over on my blog - www.AussieSpeedoGuy.net


Dave

These days the only things I that associate the word 'Speedo' with are competitive swimming clothing and equipment, and uncomfortable, unflattering and unimaginative casual swimwear. I say let them keep it.

SMH how legit!

Ah well... anyone in a pro bono mood? (no pun intended)

Hey Dave: Tell them to F%$#OFF!!!

Hang in there Dave. I hope things work out well for you.

I'll read the stuff on your blog later today Dave - but I think things sort of change once a word like Speedo becomes part of the venacular, and is used in a generic sense to describe any sort of brief swimwear. I think Speedo need ro realise that they are now, and have been for some time, part of our slang language.

It is common for some big companies to aggressively protect their brands, and seek to restrain use that they see as potentially damaging their brands.

Sometimes they have good foundation for doing this; sometimes not.

In many cases the "little guy" whose activities may be defensible simply cannot afford to fight the big company, so even if they have a good case, they end up agreeing to do what the company asks to resolve matters.

I have no comment on how strong Speedo's case might be in this instance.

Tyler,

I agree with you mate.

I'm not going to slag off at SPEEDO for doing this. If it was my brand I'd encourage it BUT some people don't 'our' (as in this community) endorsement of a product.

As I said on my blog, I can't afford to oppose this but I living in a beautiful, democratic country like Australia. I know the judge will hear the case and despite me not being able to oppose it, will be fair. Perhaps that is nieve but since my biggest asset is a car (actually my laptop is more expensive... I can afford to be optimistic).

Thanks again for all of your support guys.


Dave

aussiebumfan wrote:I'll read the stuff on your blog later today Dave - but I think things sort of change once a word like Speedo becomes part of the venacular, and is used in a generic sense to describe any sort of brief swimwear. I think Speedo need ro realise that they are now, and have been for some time, part of our slang language.

That's what the judge has to balance. Speedo is a registered trade mark, but it's also a homonym for brief cuts swimwear as mentioned. In Germany such swimwear is called "Badehose" in contrast to "Shorts" for baggy swimwear. Speedo is not common. So the case would be very clear over here.

Good luck, Dave. Hope the court will judge in your/our interest.

Good luck with everything, Dave.

I do think "speedo" (with a little 's') has entered the Australian vernacular as a synonym for swim briefs whereas "Speedo" (with a big 'S') is a brand. I think speedo with a small 's' should belong to everybody - it's Aussie culture now.

Must confess to always using the capital 'S' - will change my wicked ways and start using the lower case 's'. I agree with you duncandude - there should be a way that it can be used as part of our slang language without fear of anything happening.