Motorola scraps with Razor over "MOTORAZR"

Nothing like a lighthearted trademark lawsuit to break up the gloom-and-doom stories of hot phones that aren't bound for US shores, eh? It seems that Razor USA -- the scooter company -- was understandably concerned back in 2004 that Motorola might encroach on the lucrative, burgeoning scooterphone market and penned an agreement to license the "RAZR" name through October of this year. Motorola figured they could sidestep the agreement by prefixing "MOTO" to "RAZR" and wash their hands of the encroaching expiration date. Razor -- again, the scooter people -- disagreed, prompting Motorola to file the lawsuit. In the meantime, Motorola "will continue to expend substantial funds to complete the transition" from RAZR to MOTORAZR, apparently confident they can overpower a bunch of kids on two-wheeled scooters. How much money can the "transition" from four letters to eight really cost, anyway?

[Thanks, CoreyTheGent]

[Vwartenbenschnuggen @ Jun 8th 2006 8:55AM]

I didn't realize RAZOR was even around anymore. There was that huge scooter fad a while back when everyone had a scooter, but I havn't seen many people buying scooters recently.

[Hans @ Jun 8th 2006 9:12AM]

but why would they bother? razor sells scooters, the razr is a mobile phone. who could ever get those mixed up?

those complaining must be ones who ride those scooters to uni or something, thinking it's cool.

[Elias @ Jun 8th 2006 9:20AM]

How could this have held-up in court? It's not like someone going out to buy a scooter will accidentally buy a phone, and vice-versa.

[joe @ Jun 8th 2006 9:49AM]

Yeah, but what kid would want to be seen on a hot-pink scooter?

[tiuk @ Jun 8th 2006 9:57AM]

joe - Um, a female kid?

[mattharvest @ Jun 8th 2006 10:15AM]

The problem isn't that someone might buy a scooter thinking it's a phone (or vice versa) but rather that they might be 'tricked' into thinking the two were affiliated somehow.

This is part of the need for companies to protect their 'brand identity': think about it from Razor's perspective. Sure, it might benefit them to somehow bleed off (as it were) some of the social cache that the RAZR phones have. On the other hand, it might hurt them too: it dilutes the meaning of their brand, it might associate them with celebreties they dont like, etc.

Frankly, I was surprised the scooter company still existed, but there it is. If they have investors, they're legally obligated to protect their brand (including trademarks) or else they become exposed to lawsuits from those investors for mismanagement, etc.

[Molly @ Jun 8th 2006 10:37AM]

um, how awsome is that picture with the giant razr????

[Ralph Bishop @ Jun 8th 2006 10:43AM]

Whatever man, look, both brands are using a word taken from the english language. Next, Motorolla will file against websters dictionary.

[mike @ Jun 8th 2006 10:46AM]

Funny how Razor jumps on this, after dealing with the lawsuit put forth by RAZORS inline skates. http://www.razorskate.com

A company much closer in product to their terrible scooters, who's been around a decade longer than them as well with that name. I believe the scooter people ended up paying the skate company to use the name.

[Digger Phelps @ Jun 8th 2006 11:43AM]

I'm going to confuse the crappy Razor scooter with the crappy RAZR cellphone?

Also, where do GIllette and Schick fit into all this?
Why do they not sue 'Razor' over the use of the word razor?

There are too many goddam lawyers in this country.

[Scott @ Jun 8th 2006 12:38PM]

Ugh. Just another example of our overly litigious society.

I so hate the whole "We're going to co-opt a common term and claim ownership of it across industries" mentality of corporations (and their lawyers) today.

[Patiwat Panurach @ Jun 8th 2006 1:16PM]

If RAZR is being rebranded as MOTORAZR, will we also get MOTOSLVR and MOTOPEBL?

[Tommy @ Jun 8th 2006 1:24PM]

THATS why my phone has wheels! I really didn't think it was as small as everyone was going on about.

[Darren @ Jun 8th 2006 2:33PM]

Those of you who don't know the Razor scooter is still around must not have kids. My daughter just asked for one last week (in pink, BTW)...it's the only thing she wants right now. So it's off to the store for me...just better make sure I don't accidentally buy her a phone instead.

[doubtful @ Jun 8th 2006 3:34PM]

The companies have to protect us, of course. We might wake up one day and attempt to remove facial hair with a two-wheeled transpotation device, ride our phone to work, and place a call on a t-shaped tool with a blade or five.

And don't worry, neither company would dream of passing along the cost of frivolous litigation to the customer.

[Striggity @ Jun 8th 2006 4:03PM]

"And don't worry, neither company would dream of passing along the cost of frivolous litigation to the customer"

*Guffaw*

[DinnyHoon @ Jun 8th 2006 4:32PM]

Well, Heinz changed their baked beans from "Baked Beans" to "Baked Beanz", and that cost £17 million...

[Cerulean Dragon @ Jun 8th 2006 4:43PM]

Next thing we know, Razor scooters will be suing Razer, the makers of high performance gaming mice (http://www.razerzone.com/). Ya know, 'cause they're so cutting in on their business by having a vaguely close name... Fuqtards.

[Jazzy AppleDisney-Pixar Fan JvjTreIII (tray) @ Jun 8th 2006 4:48PM]

Nice Picture Endgadget! Mobile phone scooter? LOL , no
The MotoScooter ROTFLOL!! :DD

Anyway sueing stinks and is a lousy way to get a point across. (except when it comes to Intellectual Property.

Anyway, On a related Note (to iTunes anyway) (See "Unpacking U2 iPod Section Comments by me):

Pete Avila (from engadget) said: "Did they make the U2 because they couldnt finish the true video ipod? I think this U2 is just a way to buy apple some time!"

I agree, Another band besides U2 needs to get on the iPod Train.

Anybody else here thinking this? I think the Nano is going to become a 'video iPod' nano soon anyway (6-12 Gig). but with less memory still than the Hard Drive players (Max Capacity 80-100 Gig area). Flash is better anyway.
-------------------------------------------------
Special_K wrote: "Ummm... do we really need another one of these? I'd dig a Beck iPod, or a Wynton Marsellis iPod (in fact, that makes sense, considering the iTunes session...)"

I think it doesn't have to be limited to just a 'Wynton Marsalis' iPod. How about just one or maybe two different styles that emulate the "Jazz" or "Blues" Genres.

See other post for the Rest!)

[freddyo @ Jun 8th 2006 6:14PM]

Perhaps Razor plans to move up from "leg powered" razor scooters to actual "motor" powered scooters. I've seen a few people whipping around the city on gasoline powered scooters; adult oriented, larger scooters, perfect for the city. As gas prices climb, I could see this as a viable market for Razor and the real "MotoRazor" may come about. Hence the worry of brand confusion.

[Tommy @ Jun 11th 2006 6:10PM]

THATS why my phone has wheels! I really didn't think it was as small as everyone was going on about.