The Use of Historic Names

[Starkton]

I am looking to form a recording band for The North American Phonograph Co, Edison Phonograph Works division, and it could be Issler's Orchestra [...]. I had a TV quiz show call me the other day for permission to use the words Edison Blue Amberol record, on the show, I told them they could,however,they should double check with David Edison S, Mc Graw Edison, and Thomas Edison historical Park.

This is such a serious matter that I do not wish to gloss over it.

As a researcher I find the use of historic names in similar business fields annoying and presumptuous. Furthermore, it contributes to much confusion among laymen, proved by the described incident. That you are called for permission and granted it(!!) instead of the Thomas Edison National Historical Park is the sad result.

[Henry]

Excuse me, but why start a new thread by quoting from another thread, which is not even identified? Can you refer us to the original thread, please, so we can read "the described incident" for ourselves?

[Starkton]

Excuse me, but why start a new thread by quoting from another thread, which is not even identified? Can you refer us to the original thread, please, so we can read "the described incident" for ourselves?

I am sorry, here is the original thread:
http://forum.talkingmachine.info/viewto ... f=2&t=5754

[Amberola 1-A]

If I'm not mistaken, Shawn Borri (Edisonphonoworks) does in fact own the rights to use the name 'The North American Phonograph Co.'

Bill

[edisonphonoworks]

Sir. T.E.H.P and GE use my product, and they are not complaining about the name. It is also in credits in recordings by BMG, and several other recording companies, motion pictures, and TV programs, and even protected by RIAA. Phonograms made by my hand sit on the mandrels of the oldest wax cylinder Phonographs at Edison's Laboratory.

[Starkton]

If I'm not mistaken, Shawn Borri (Edisonphonoworks) does in fact own the rights to use the name 'The North American Phonograph Co.'

Bill

That interested me, and I launched enquiries:

In early May 2009 a new subitem was added to the "Edison Records" page on Wikipedia. Under the headline "Edison Records today" is the following text: "In the 1990s, the assets of North American were purchased by Shawn Borri, who runs it and still makes brown wax cylinders today." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edison_Records

The question suggests itself: which assets were sold, and who is authorized to do so? Interestingly, the page of the North American Phonograph Company to which the link North American refers does not exist.

On the respective discussion group on Wikipedia you can read the contributions of "Shawn Borri, President of the Edison Phonograph Works and the North American Phonograph Company". http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talk:Edison_Records

I haven't been able to verify the existence of these businesses in the legal registers. When and where did you re-establish the Edison Phonograph Works and the North American Phonograph Company? Where are your businesses and your company names registered? Do you in fact own the rights to use such names?

I ask for your clarification, Mr. Borri.

[Amberola 1-A]

Here is a link to Mr. Borri's site. Lots of info.

http://members.tripod.com/~Edison_1/index.html

[Starkton]

Here is a link to Mr. Borri's site. Lots of info.

I have no doubt that Mr. Borri's cylinders are fully usable, but I question the use of historic names in similar businesses.

A number of questions remain to be resolved, see my message above, and I am very interested to read Mr. Borri's answers.

[edisonphonoworks]

At least it is kept in America, if I did not keep the name alive, here,it would be used by someone from china, or India. How come a mention of it now? I have used the name since the mid 1990s, it was New North American Phonograph Co., in 1996,a few years after I was out of high school. I will have several articles, in the newsletter" In The Groove." On cylinder record manufacture. I started a column in 1990 when I was 16 called "The Antique Phonograph Corner." in a small publication called "The Collector" until 1997. I am Not a colector,but rather a hands on recording engineer, and service man. I have about ten talking machines, and. They were all basket cases as I am not able to afford pristine machines. I have thousands of hours of time, making wax formulations, molding blanks, and recording cylinders, it is a hobby, on a shoestring budget. I do most of my work for artists,museums and movies, theme parks, and the recording industry. I only make blanks for collectors, not so much recordings.

[edisonphonoworks]

At least it is kept in America, if I did not keep the name alive, here,it would be used by someone from china, or India. How come a mention of it now? I have used the name since the mid 1990s, it was New North American Phonograph Co., in 1996,a few years after I was out of high school. I will have several articles, in the newsletter" In The Groove." On cylinder record manufacture. I started a column in 1990 when I was 16 called "The Antique Phonograph Corner." in a small publication called "The Collector" until 1997. I am Not a colector,but rather a hands on recording engineer, and service man. I have about ten talking machines, and. They were all basket cases as I am not able to afford pristine machines. I have thousands of hours of time, making wax formulations, molding blanks, and recording cylinders, it is a hobby, on a shoestring budget. I do most of my work for artists,museums and movies, theme parks, and the recording industry. I only make blanks for collectors, not so much recordings.