Why can't/won't WJIB use the Ship's Bell(was: Top o' the hour)

[ssmyth@tiac.net (Sean P. Smyth)]

>On 4 June 1997 at 10:51 p.m., you wrote:

>It's my understanding that the bell is still a trademark owned by the
>owners of the former WJIB (FM).  I believe it has to be unused for 10
>years before Bob can use it.

You are on the right path here. I remember the story being somewhat that
even though the bells were not trademarked officially, they were
"intellectual property" belonging to Emmis Broadcasting (I believe those
were the owners at the time) and that those owners or whomever owned 96.9
had the rights to that for 10 years. In other words, I understood the bells
were trademarked much in the way a couple who lives together for a long
time is considered entered into a common-law marriage.

Bright spot: There is only two more years before the new WJIB can use the
bells; WJIB(FM) signed off in 1989.

- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sean Smyth
Smyth Sports Enterprises
10 Linley Terrace
South Boston, Mass. 02127
617/269-4045
Metropolitan Boston's leader in local sports broadcasting
ssmyth@tiac.net
seans@magneto.cybersmith.com

------------------------------