Firms that like to put a bit of emphasis into their marketing materials, say for example by asserting that their product or service is “Great!” or “Super Value!” or “Just About OK!” may soon need to tone it down a bit. It appears that O2, purveyor of mobile telephony products and services, is in the process of trying to trademark the exclamation mark. And what’s more, it’s not simply laying claim to the punctuation mark in the field of telecommunications. No, it foresees using the “!” symbol in relation to printed matter, banking, advertising services, estate agency services, ticket booking, insurance provision, transport, education, science, food and drink, accommodation services, agriculture, legal services, sports and leisure, and, presumably, breathing.
All of which could be bad news!!! (better use it while we can) for IT Week’s consumer-oriented sister title, Computer Act!ve.

17 Jun 2005