https://n2v.almanacnews.com/square/print/2014/10/18/is-no-on-m-making-illegal-use-of-the-walmart-brand


Town Square

Is "No on M" Making Illegal Use of the Walmart Brand?

Original post made by Gern, Menlo Park: Linfield Oaks, on Oct 18, 2014

Given the metronomic frequency with which a certain Atherton resident is leveling baseless ethics accusations against Measure M supporters, I thought it high time to ask whether the shadowy, Greenheart-funded "Committee for a Vibrant Downtown - No on M" has secured Walmart's blessing to use their brand as foil in it's long-running negative ad campaign, one seen with just about every page load of the Almanac News and Forum websites these past few weeks? The message of the ad is as clear as it is preposterous: defeat Measure M or end up with something as terrible as a Walmart store in downtown Menlo Park (Web Link

Somehow, I just can't see Walmart's general counsel giving her blessing to such a message -- perhaps our local officious filer of frivolous complaints might take up the matter with Karen Roberts, but in the meantime I'd ask the Almanac editors/owners whether they've vetted this ad, with or without Walmart's input?

Gern

Comments

Posted by Peter Carpenter
a resident of Atherton: Lindenwood
on Oct 18, 2014 at 2:39 pm

Peter Carpenter is a registered user.

No.

The use of the name "Walmart" in these political ads is
1- Protected speech,
2 - And it does not involve "Trademark dilution", "Defamation" "Tarnishment" nor is it intended to create "a likelihood of confusion as to the origin of the goods or services."


Posted by Gern
a resident of Menlo Park: Linfield Oaks
on Oct 18, 2014 at 2:57 pm

Gern is a registered user.

Your Number 2 doesn't pass the smell test, Peter (pun intended).

Gern


Posted by barnyard
a resident of Menlo Park: other
on Oct 18, 2014 at 3:06 pm

"metronomic frequency"

ding ding ding, winnah winnah chicken dinnah!!!


Posted by Peter Carpenter
a resident of Atherton: Lindenwood
on Oct 18, 2014 at 3:12 pm

Peter Carpenter is a registered user.

Too bad, but predictable, that Gern does not like the law regarding trademarks.

The cited ad it does not involve "Trademark dilution", "Defamation" "Tarnishment" nor is it intended to create "a likelihood of confusion as to the origin of the goods or services.


Posted by Observer
a resident of Portola Valley: other
on Oct 18, 2014 at 4:25 pm

Measure M supporters: Please debate the real issues.

Ironically, Measure M's rigid approach actually makes it more likely that a Walmart could be built. Perhaps better than the blight on ECR? At least there would be sales tax revenue for MP.

If you disagree, please cite to Measure M's language to support your position. As has been previously pointed out, the language says what it says and, absent a future majority vote, no one --- not even you -- could change it, if it were to be approved.


Posted by Gern
a resident of Menlo Park: Linfield Oaks
on Oct 18, 2014 at 6:10 pm

Gern is a registered user.

"Ironically, Measure M's rigid approach actually makes it more likely that a Walmart could be built."

I'll defer to Peter on this one. Peter, how likely do you think it is that Greenheart will build a Walmart with all the required surface parking on their property instead of, say, 3-400,000 s.f. of office, residential and retail should Measure M pass?

My point, Observer, is simply that in no likely scenario before us, with or without Measure M, would it make economic sense to build a Walmart on the Greenheart property. Something drastic, far and above Measure M's power to bring about, would need to happen to make a Walmart the best economic opportunity for that property.

Gern


Posted by Peter Carpenter
a resident of Atherton: Lindenwood
on Oct 18, 2014 at 6:19 pm

Peter Carpenter is a registered user.

Gern states - "I'll defer to Peter on this one. Peter, how likely do you think it is that Greenheart will build a Walmart with all the required surface parking on their property instead of, say, 3-400,000 s.f. of office, residential and retail should Measure M pass?"

Very likely. Why should Greenheart put up with all the opportunities for lawsuits with the "frustrate" language in Section 4 of Measure M?


Posted by blackmail
a resident of Menlo Park: Central Menlo Park
on Oct 21, 2014 at 7:07 am

so is greenheart threatening blackmail? If they can't build exactly what they want, which is not at all like what residents asked for, then they are threatening to build a Walmart instead? Really?

I find it disgraceful that city officials are putting their names on garbage like that.


Posted by Peter Carpenter
a resident of Atherton: Lindenwood
on Oct 21, 2014 at 7:18 am

Peter Carpenter is a registered user.

There is no "blackmail" involved in being informed that if office space is unreasonable constrained and there are no constraints on retail that, SURPRISE, what you might get is RETAIL.

The Specific Plan creates an excellent BALANCE between a variety of uses in order to BALANCE the desires of the community with the economic interests of property owners.

Measure M would destroy that balance.

The supporters of Measure M do not want you to know what happens when that balance is destroyed. Hint - big box retail is one possible outcome that is totally permitted by Measure M.


Posted by blackmail
a resident of Menlo Park: Central Menlo Park
on Oct 21, 2014 at 8:30 am

The Specific Plan's studied balance is NOT at all what is transpiring. Measure M enforces the exact same balance that was studied and accepted during the Plan's process. The constraint on office is entirely reasonable. In fact, it's necessary because our council won't constrain offices.

Retail includes restaurants, shopping. If those serve our community, that's good because we wouldn't have to drive to another city to dine and shop.


Posted by Peter Carpenter
a resident of Atherton: Lindenwood
on Oct 21, 2014 at 9:16 am

Peter Carpenter is a registered user.

"The Specific Plan's studied balance is NOT at all what is transpiring."

That is your opinion. I and a lot of other people disagree:

Web Link

Measure M is a Mistake