B&K out of business....

[F1nut]

....but may not be gone forever.

http://stratecongroup.com/1010aw2ati2acquireBK.aspx

[FTGV]

Yep http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=107832

[nadams]

Suprised that ATI the video card manufacturer doesn't go after "Amplifier Technologies, Inc" for copyright infringement. First thing I thought was, "Why the hell would a video card company want to buy B&K?"

[F1nut]

Oops, missed that one.

Ken, please delete this thread.

[billbillw]

Suprised that ATI the video card manufacturer doesn't go after "Amplifier Technologies, Inc" for copyright infringement. First thing I thought was, "Why the hell would a video card company want to buy B&K?"

I don't think names are protected by copyright laws. Trademark maybe, but that would apply to the specific look of the ATI logo and they are both significantly different. Besides, ATI is now AMD Graphics Products Group. The ATI graphics brand will be disappearing shortly. BTW, there are probably dozen companies going by the name ATI in the US.

[dorokusai]

That's been in the works for some time and honestly, they've forgotten how to run business a long time ago.

[orrb_05]

I don't think names are protected by copyright laws. Trademark maybe, but that would apply to the specific look of the ATI logo and they are both significantly different. Besides, ATI is now AMD Graphics Products Group. The ATI graphics brand will be disappearing shortly. BTW, there are probably dozen companies going by the name ATI in the US.

Tell that to the WWE who were forced to change from WWF :)

[Joe08867]

I don't think names are protected by copyright laws. Trademark maybe, but that would apply to the specific look of the ATI logo and they are both significantly different. Besides, ATI is now AMD Graphics Products Group. The ATI graphics brand will be disappearing shortly. BTW, there are probably dozen companies going by the name ATI in the US.

Same post as above. oops,

[billbillw]

Tell that to the WWE who were forced to change from WWF :)

That was because the WWF (wildlife) had their name trademarked way back in the 60's and it was clear who was first. That was a Trademark case.

ATI Technologies (Graphics) would have to have the ATI name trademarked prior ATI amps submitting any trademark application, and of course, there couldn't be any prior ATI companies (not likely) Most of the time, there are negotiations for the use of the name, etc. Most companies don't really raise a stink unless the infringer is tarnishing the namesake or trying to compete in the same market for the same customers.

In the case of the WWF, they didn't want a violent sport tarnishing the image of a tree hugging society.