From Inman News Features
“CSI: Crime Scene Investigation” may be one of the most popular shows on television, but not with the corporate types at Re/Max International in Denver.
Re/Max has filed a civil lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Denver against the CBS television network and its owner, Viacom.
The suit alleges that an Oct. 10 episode in which a real estate agent used a yard sign similar in design to the Re/Max red, white and blue sign is an infringement to the Re/Max trademark. In addition, the real estate agent in the episode exhibited unethical practices and was suspected of robbery, pornography and homicide.
CBS believes the allegations are without value. “We’re very confident that the lawsuit does not have any merit,” said CBS spokesperson Nancy Carr.
Re/Max co-founder Dave Liniger said the situation is no different than those in the past where legal rights to trademarks were exercised.
“We are not a litigious organization,” he said. “But, we have an obligation to more than 76,000 Re/Max agents worldwide to prevent others from using any of our trademarks.”
In addition to the similar sign, the suit alleges that the trademark term, “Realtor®,” was also misused on the yard sign and in the script. Liniger said that the Re/Max legal team has sent a copy of the lawsuit to the lawyers at the National Association of REALTORS®, which owns the trademark.