Semiologists of the world, rejoice!

In a world of words, images, sounds and fury, symbols still mean something. Take the venerable red cross symbol, for instance.

The New York Times reports today that the Johnson & Johnson, the company, is suing the American Red Cross over what it considers to be unwelcome use of the symbol the non-for-profit organization and the corporation have shared since the end of the 19th century.


For a bit of legalese: According to the Times, Johnson & Johnson started using the red cross symbol in 1887, with a trademark.
In 1895, an agreement posited each organization's right to use the symbol: Johnson & Johnson got what its current lawyers consider to be the exclusive trademark rights for any pharmaceutical goods, while the American Red Cross could use the symbol for its disaster relief efforts.


Fast-forward to 2007: Johnson & Johnson sues the American Red Cross for using the symbol on licensed products it sells, such as first aid kits. Mr Everson, the American Red Cross' lawyer hopes that "the courts and Congress will not allow Johnson & Johnson to bully the American Red Cross.”