Y2K: Going Once, Going Twice
Frankfurt--Aug. 24--A German citizen has secured the rights to the brand name "Y2K" and is putting them up for auction on Ebay with a reserve price of $1.6 million (3 million Deutsche marks). The Munich-based German Patent Office today confirmed that the unnamed person bought the right to put the name "Y2K" on virtually any consumer good sold in Germany for a registration fee of $618 (1,150
Deutsche marks).
Under patent numbers 39843267 and 39801394, the person secured the right to use the brand name for goods such as perfume, makeup, jewelry, clothing, software, games, toys, and beverages. Service companies, research institutions, restaurants, and hotels are also not allowed to use "Y2K" as a brand name, the Patent Office says. However, the agency would not rule out legal battles over the use of the brand name in individual cases. No bids have been submitted so far on Ebay's website.
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