Discussion Topic
Bud Lawrence's acquisition and subsequent plans for the word "frindle."
Summary:
Bud Lawrence quickly acquires the rights to the word "frindle" by trademarking it. He then plans to produce and sell various merchandise, such as pens and other items, branded with the term. His business acumen turns "frindle" into a profitable venture, capitalizing on the popularity and widespread use of the new word.
What is Bud Lawrence's plan for the word "frindle" once he owns it?
Bud Lawrence was a local businessman in town. He read an article about Nick Allen's new word and was quick to go to his lawyer to file a trademark claim on it. Within a few days, he set up a small company, which manufactured ballpoint pens with the word "frindle" imprinted on them. These pens sold so fast that the stores could not even keep up with the demand. But just as suddenly as things had started, the frindle pens stopped selling. Local kids seemed to have forgotten about frindles, and Bud Lawrence moved on to other business ventures.
Nick soon started making TV appearances. Then people began writing articles about his new invented word. Bud Lawrence began receiving an enormous amount of orders again. Concerned about a potential lawsuit, Bud met with Nick's dad. They signed an agreement so that Bud would produce a variety of frindle products...
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and Nick would receive 30% of the profits. Bud went forward with his ventures. He created and sold sunglasses, erasers, paper, shirts, and a variety of other items with the frindle name. He also opened his own factory making frindle baseball caps. Frindle products were sold all over the world.
How does Bud Lawrence own the rights to the word "frindle" in Frindle?
Believe it or not, anybody can trademark a word or phrase. When you trademark a word, you essentially make it your commercial property. It doesn't mean you're the only one who can use it; it means you're the only one who can profit from it. Brand names and slogans—like Kleenex or "Just do it"—are almost always trademarked.
Trademarked words and phrases are registered with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Registering a word, like frindle, gives you an official record that says you were there first. That way, if anybody tries to swoop in on your word, your claim of ownership is protected in a court of law; you can file an infringement lawsuit to protect your property.
Generally speaking, though, simply registering your word or phrase in the first place is a good deterrent from would-be word poachers. In fact, one of the first things you have to do if you want to trademark a word is search the USPTO database to make sure it hasn't already been trademarked for a similar purpose.
References
Everyone knows that Nick made up the word frindle because he appeared on talk shows saying he did.
In Frindle, Nick decides to make up a new word for pen. He calls it a frindle. Nick is only a fifth grader, but his teacher ensures that the word gets media attention by not giving in and insisting on punishing anyone who uses the word. As a result, the word gets popular and kids being using it, and since they are punished for using it, the adults are soon hearing about it.
A local newspaper reporter writes about the story, and soon it goes to regional and then national media outlets. Soon, people want to buy things with the word frindle on them. Bud Lawrence’s lawyer advises him that the orders are “trouble.”
The whole country knows that that little kid made up the word, and unless you make a deal with his dad, you’re going to end up with nothing—maybe even a big fat lawsuit. That kid owns that word. (ch 12, p. 78)
As a result, Lawrence buys the rights to the word from Nick’s dad. Bud Lawrence gives Nick’s dad a contract for 30% of the profits, and a check for $2,250 for the amount he has sold already.