Werner Corporation is a major ladder manufacturer in the US. According to their web site at WernerCo.com:
“Werner is the world leader in the manufacturing and distribution of ladders, climbing equipment, fall protection and ladder accessories.”
Owning the absolute matching domains, Ladder.com and Ladders.com, would be a demonstration of how serious they are about their product.
And now, Werner Corporation has filed two trademark applications at the USPTO:
Both marks & matching domains bear the following description for the trademarks applied for:
Ladders, ladder stabilizers, ladder jacks, step stools, prefabricated platforms, and storage units; all made primarily of metal / Ladders, step stools, prefabricated platforms, and storage units; all made primarily of non-metal
The intriguing part: the marks are filed with an intent to use basis, indicating that these marks have not been used yet by Werner Corporation.
We can then assume that both domains were recently acquired by Werner Corporation for an unspecified amount. Unless something fishy is going on!
Currently, these domains forward to different ladder manufacturers; Ladder.com to Bauer Ladders, and Ladders.com to Little Giant Ladder Systems.
We’ll have to wait 3 months for the application to be processed.
According to the SC ruling, doesn’t this applicant need to be primarily associated by the public with ladders.com in order to obtain such a trademark?
Scott – It’s an intent to use application, which means they’ll have six months to provide proof of use in interstate commerce (plus a number of extensions, if needed.)