The organizing committee for the 2010 Winter Games has applied for a trademark on two lines from Canada's national anthem, raising the possibility that they'll form the slogan for the Vancouver Olympics.
The committee requested trademarks this month on the phrase "with glowing hearts" from the English version of the anthem and "des plus brilliants exploits," which appears in the French version.
O Canada is over 100 years old and, according to the Department of Canadian Heritage, is in the public domain so may be used without permission from the government.
Hockey fans used to singing the anthem with gusto before a game or schoolchildren who sing it every morning shouldn't worry.
But if anyone tries to sell products using either phrase, the organizing committee could, and likely will, come calling.
Should VANOC be able to trademark parts of the national anthem?
More...
The committee requested trademarks this month on the phrase "with glowing hearts" from the English version of the anthem and "des plus brilliants exploits," which appears in the French version.
O Canada is over 100 years old and, according to the Department of Canadian Heritage, is in the public domain so may be used without permission from the government.
Hockey fans used to singing the anthem with gusto before a game or schoolchildren who sing it every morning shouldn't worry.
But if anyone tries to sell products using either phrase, the organizing committee could, and likely will, come calling.
Should VANOC be able to trademark parts of the national anthem?
More...
