Now in its sixth year, Class 46 is dedicated to European trade mark
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THURSDAY, 6 MARCH 2008 Poland: no jokes with village name
A Polish daily Gazeta Wyborczareports about an interesting issue involving a nationwide TV commercial and a village name it uses - Pcim. Pcim is a small village situated in southern Poland (a part of Gmina Pcim). Probably none of you would ever hear about this place, if not for its name being used in the commercial for the Bank Zachodni WBK. The footage features an English actor and comedian John Cleese who is trying hard to persuade the director that he is Polish and thus eligible for a loan from the Bank. Finally, out of despair he says that his aunt comes from Pcim.
Mr. Obajczek (the wójt - leader - of the village) said that local authorities were outraged over the use of Pcim's name. They also sent an official letter to Bank Zachodni WBK in which they elaborate on their concerns.
"The name is intangible property. The law and and good manners require you to ask the town's authorities for consent if you wish to use it in your commercial"
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