Sunday, May 16, 2010

Growers, Jessica in boat copyright flap; Sydney Morning Herald, 5/6/10

Lisa Martin, Sydney Morning Herald; Growers, Jessica in boat copyright flap:

"A fruit-growing corporation which warned Jessica Watson her boat name, Ella's Pink Lady, breached international copyright wants to make the teenage sailor a poster girl for apples.

Ella's Pink Lady has a similar heart logo to the Pink Lady apple trademark.

Pink Lady Australia spokesman John Durham told AAP the company wrote to Watson's management in October last year advising them of its registered trademarks on the Pink Lady name and flowing heart symbol in more than 70 countries world-wide.

"Given that this was a global sailing attempt and given that our registrations were global, we just wanted them to be aware of that," Mr Durham said.

"We just requested ... that no person associated with Jessica Watson's solo around the world sailing attempt to take any action or make any statements which could cause damage or bring into disrepute APAL's (Apple & Pear Australia Ltd) Pink Lady flowing heart trademark.

"We never imagined that she would (damage the trademark), the letter was just to make her management aware."

Mr Durham said the organisation had extended its best wishes to the 16-year-old Queenslander.

"Personally I think she is a fantastic young lady and very much admire her courage, fortitude and pluck sailing around the world," he said.

He said Pink Lady Australia would talk to Jessica Watson's people about a potential deal."

http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-national/growers-jessica-in-boat-copyright-flap-20100506-ucj9.html

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