Johnson & Johnson: Still really big Red Cross fans

In a saga reminding me more and more of the Philadelphia Eagles fans who famously booed Santa Claus, Johnson & Johnson lost another round in its legal battle against the American Red Cross for trademark infringement.

Johnson & Johnson’s beef was that the charitable organization began licensing its recognizable logo to other companies for use on items like first-aid kits – and the Red Cross would keep parts of the proceeds. In a deliciously ironic twist, however, J&J entered into just such an agreement with the Red Cross in 1986. So it was alright for the Red Cross to give its endorsement to another company’s products – just as long as that company was Johnson & Johnson.

This is just getting worse for the company, and the public perception is just awful: While the Red Cross is busy sending aid to Myanmar, China and the tornado-ravaged regions of the United States, they need to spend time and money fighting J&J in court. There’s is almost no possible way this ends with J&J looking good. But just in case that’s in doubt, the perfunctory last lines of their spokesperson statement made it official.

“We are reviewing the decision and look forward to continuing this process to resolve our legal dispute with the American Red Cross.” Oh, and by the way … “The company does remain committed to the longstanding mission of the Red Cross to provide relief services.”

- Posted by Daniel Welch