Opinion ID: 718674
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: State Claim: Dilution

Text: 31 The Minnesota anti-dilution statute protects trademark owners from dilution of the distinctive quality of their marks notwithstanding the likelihood of confusion. The statute defines distinctive quality as meaning that the mark is inherently distinctive or has acquired distinctiveness, and the mark is well known or famous. Minn.Stat. § 325D.165 (1995). 32 The Minnesota statute, which is similar to other state dilution statutes, appears to codify the common law, which has functioned to protect well-known, distinctive marks from uses that are likely to tarnish or erode the distinctive nature of the mark. See DeRosier v. 5931 Business Trust, 870 F.Supp. 941, 948 (D.Minn.1994) (holding that the Minnesota statute simply codifies common law); See also Anheuser-Busch, 28 F.3d at 777 (interpreting Missouri anti-dilution statute, which is virtually the same as Minnesota statute, to protect against uses that tend to weaken or tarnish the unique nature of a mark). See, e.g., Polaroid Corp. v. Polaraid, Inc., 319 F.2d 830 (7th Cir.1963) (Polaroid as used in connection with the installation of refrigeration and heating systems constitutes a dilution of Polaroid.). 33 The gravamen of a dilution claim is that the plaintiff's mark be particularly distinctive and well-known or famous. We conclude that the mark Duluth News-Tribune is not sufficiently distinctive to merit protection under this statute. Plaintiff cannot expect to acquire exclusive use, even in a limited area, of the common words news and tribune. Plaintiff's claim of extensive advertising does not change this fact. See Esquire, 243 F.2d at 543 (1st Cir.1957) (We do not think a trader can pluck a word ... out of the general vocabulary and appropriate it to his exclusive use no matter how much effort and money he may expend in the attempt). Thus, we affirm the district court's grant of summary judgment for defendants on the state claim. 34 The judgment is affirmed.