Sean Kershaw's Weblog
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October 6, 2006
Citizens League does what?
...We "eschew obfuscation"! Kudos to the Star Tribune for headline with SAT-level words. I'd never seen them do that before. I certainly didn't ask for this story, and I still don't understand why it was a story. Who is interested in this outside of the members of each group -- at most?
Two years ago I talked to one of the leaders of the Roseville organization, and understood that they planned to use our name, although no formal approval was requested or given. There have been discussions and interest in how the Citizens League could set up local affiliates ever since my first summer on the job, and I was genuinely interested in what they were trying to accomplish based on one phone call. But I've learned a lot about trademark law -- and the importance of protecting the integrity of our "brand" -- our mission/principles/processes -- since then. And I assumed that if we had an "affiliate" we'd be working with closely with them.
Despite the fact that members of both groups appear to have good intentions, the potential for confusion is still great: both groups work in the Metro area; are citizen-based; deal with local/state officials; and work on policy issues. And we haven't had any substantive contact in two years. Our activities are not connected at all. So my conclusion was to ask that they stop using our name, and to talk with them about whether or not we'd want to work together in the future.
Posted by Sean Kershaw at October 6, 2006 4:48 AM