[gerryh1943]

Did I hear that The Villages has stop Walgreens to have or to sell anything with the name THE VILLAGES on anything ( shirt,hat,)

[mulligan]

That would seem right to me. Trademark infringement, unless Walgreens is paying a license fee.

[hulahips]

Hope not. They have some cute shirts and those little golf carts we always pick up for our guests to bring back home, put on a shelf somewhere to remember the fun they had while here!

[bagboy]

I think that happened quite some time ago. They still have the golf carts though.

[CFrance]

Originally Posted by hulahips

Hope not. They have some cute shirts and those little golf carts we always pick up for our guests to bring back home, put on a shelf somewhere to remember the fun they had while here!

Originally Posted by bagboy

I think that happened quite some time ago. They still have the golf carts though.

Better buy a cartload of them while you can.

[blueash]

Lawyer question:
How can someone own two common words? I understand that the specific script/font used in The Villages could be copyrighted. But the US government has a designated census place it calls the villages which mostly overlaps this community. Certainly Walgreens can use a term adopted by the US census? This website uses those two words in its name, there are many other entities named "the villages" in the US. There is a "The Villages Golf and Country Club" which is a retirement community in Calif. It freely seems to use the term, with capitals The Villages to describe itself.

The focal point of The Villages is the spectacular championship golf course with its Pro Shop and elegant Clubhouse and restaurant, plus a leisure Bistro & Bar/Outdoor Patio dining experience. In addition to the golf courses, there are four swimming pools and spas, six tennis courts and a fitness center. But the fun doesn’t stop there, The Villages has something for every one of its 4,000 residents. There are more than 60 clubs and organizations, a full calendar of activities, fine arts, personal gardening plots, stables, bocce courts and numerous facilities.

So it would seem that as long as you don't use the distinctive script, The Villages could refer to any of several places including a census region.

[billybye]

I don't know how The Villages could be trademarked, as there are a lot of places around that call themselves the villages. There was an area in West Palm Beach called The Villages.

[LI SNOWBIRD]

We also noticed that the Marion flea market also stopped selling "The Villages" themed apparel. '"

[alanmcdonald]

The Villages has a number of trademark registrations and pending applications for THE VILLAGES in the familiar script AND as block letter format, which means to a trademark lawyer (which I am) they can stop uses in any format, but surely would go after any unlicensed use in the script.

I know this issue has been discussed before.