Story Archive

Let’s ®umble

When Dr. Draion M. Burch, a gynecologist, author, and “media personality” from Pittsburgh, Pa., applied for a trademark registration on the trade name he has been using since 2011, Andre Young filed an objection, claiming it was too close to his own registered trademark media name, which would allow Burch to “trade on the goodwill” he has already established. That’s right, rapper “Dr. Dre” objected to “Dr. Drai”, which are pronounced the same. Burch fought back, noting “Dr. Dre” is “not a medical doctor nor is he qualified to provide any type of medical services or sell products specifically in the medical or healthcare industry” — while he is. And besides, “That’s my name.” The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office agreed that rap album buyers would not likely confuse “Dr. Dre” with a real doctor offering classes such as “What Your Mama Didn’t Tell You About Making Babies”, and granted the trademark registration to Dr. Drai. (RC/Chicago Tribune) ...They do have one thing in common, though: each of their professions can cause some people significant pain.