Wal-Mart Drops Request to Trademark 'EDLP'
BENTONVILLE, Ark. -- Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. reportedly withdrew its application to trademark the acronym EDLP ("everyday low prices"), in response to protests from other retailers.
According to a report on the Wall Street Journal Web site, the retailer submitted a request to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office in July 2005 to trademark the acronym. It maintained that its use of the pricing strategy for most of its history entitled it to exclusive control of the acronym.
However, 17 other retailers and trade associations didn't agree.
"It became apparent to us that we would not be precluded from using the term, so [trademark] registration was no longer necessary," Wal-Mart spokesman John Simley was quoted saying in the Wall Street Journal report.
Among the retailers and trade groups that opposed Wal-Mart's application were the National Grocers Association; Lowe's Cos.; HEB Grocery Co.; Supervalu, Inc.; the National Association of Convenience Stores; Food Lion, LLC; Giant Food Stores, LLC; Safeway, Inc.; and Publix Super Markets, Inc.
According to a report on the Wall Street Journal Web site, the retailer submitted a request to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office in July 2005 to trademark the acronym. It maintained that its use of the pricing strategy for most of its history entitled it to exclusive control of the acronym.
However, 17 other retailers and trade associations didn't agree.
"It became apparent to us that we would not be precluded from using the term, so [trademark] registration was no longer necessary," Wal-Mart spokesman John Simley was quoted saying in the Wall Street Journal report.
Among the retailers and trade groups that opposed Wal-Mart's application were the National Grocers Association; Lowe's Cos.; HEB Grocery Co.; Supervalu, Inc.; the National Association of Convenience Stores; Food Lion, LLC; Giant Food Stores, LLC; Safeway, Inc.; and Publix Super Markets, Inc.