Wednesday, December 13, 2017

Is Reading Rainbow Coming Back as Reading Rainbow 2.0? WNED Files Trademark Applications for READING RAINBOW 2.0, 7 Other Reading Rainbow-Related Marks

Reading Rainbow, the classic children's television that aired for twenty years through the 1980's, 90's and early 00's, may be making a comeback as Reading Rainbow 2.0, if recent trademark applications are any indication.

On December 8th, the Western New York Public Broadcasting Association (WNED) filed federal trademark applications for READING RAINBOW 2.0 and seven other Reading Rainbow-related trademarks with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

The applications filed by WNED last Friday are for:
In addition to the standard character mark applications above (meaning those applications cover only the words, not a particular design), WNED filed two more applications, one for each design seen below:
Mark ImageMark Image
The goods and services covered by these applications vary slightly, but all appear to be related to the television show. For example, most of the applications cover "Audio materials in the fields of education and teaching" in Class 9. The READING RAINBOW 2.0 application covers "Entertainment services, namely, creation and distribution of a TV series" (Class 41) and "Providing a website featuring streaming of audio and video material on the Internet" (Class 38).

WNED filed all of these applications on an intent-to-use basis, suggesting (but not necessarily meaning) it is not yet using these marks in commerce in conjunction with the goods and services but has a bona fide intention to do so in the near future. TMEP 806.01(b); 15 USC 1051(b).

WNED owns several other registrations for READING RAINBOW, including registrations covering the distribution of a TV series and related merchandise. According to the Reading Rainbow website (operated by WNED), WNED recently resolved legal disputes with the previous host and executive producer of Reading Rainbow (LeVar Burton) and is "currently working on the next chapter of Reading Rainbow and will continue its mission of fostering education for a new generation." 

Is the next chapter Reading Rainbow 2.0? Pay attention to these trademark applications to find out.

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