Zippo trademarks the shape of famous cigarette lighters

0 Comments | Deseret News (Salt Lake City), Feb 8, 2003

BRADFORD, Pa. (AP) -- Zippo Manufacturing Co. has trademarked the rectangular shape of its famous cigarette lighters and is demanding that retailers take imitations off their shelves by June 30.

Zippo was founded in 1932. The trademark granted late last year prevents other manufacturers from using a rectangular case like the one the company founder developed, the company said Friday in a statement. The statement did not explain why the company waited to announce the trademark.

More than 375 million Zippo lighters, which became standard issue to American GIs in 1943, have been produced in Bradford over the past 70 years.

Blaisdell created the Zippo lighter after obtaining the rights to an Austrian windproof lighter with a removable top. Blaisdell redesigned it by using a rectangular case, and attached the lid to the bottom with a welded hinge allowing for easier one-hand use.

Zippo lids make a distinctive "click" so recognizable that is featured on the company's Web site whenever one clicks on an icon.

Zippo is contacting wholesalers and retailers through trade advertisements and by mail in an effort to stop the sale of other lighters that use the Zippo shape.

"Infringing lighters have misled consumers and cost Zippo, authorized distributors and retailers millions of dollars in lost profits over the years," said owner George Duke, Blaisdell's grandson.

Zippo didn't identify any companies that is accuses of manufacturing or selling the knockoff lighters.