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| Photo - Food Network |
The trademark Nikki filed for was "Meat on The Side," which is her POV on Food Network Star. It was filed in the category Education and Entertainment which has a description of "Educational and entertainment services, namely, a continuing program about food and cooking accessible by radio, television, satellite, audio, video and computer networks."
So, what does this mean?
The definition of a trademark is "A name, symbol, or other device identifying a product, officially registered and legally restricted to the use of the owner or manufacturer." This means that Nikki Dinki filed to own a program about food and cooking called "Meat on The Side" and that she is the only one that can legally use that name. This would mean that the Food Network would not be able to use that as a show. Also, as contestants pretty much sign their life away when they appear on Food Network Star (See number 19 from a previous application form), I don't think Nikki could own anything if she was in the final and had a chance to win.
Note that Nikki filed for the Meat On The Side trademark on June 3rd, which was one day after the Food Network Star premiere. The 'first use' listed for Meat on the Side was June 2nd, which was the premiere date. Nikki also has a trademark for Nikki Dinki Cooking, which was filed earlier. Most of the Food Network Trademarks are listed under the name Television Food Network, G.P.
If you look at the signature on the Nikki Dinki Cooking one, it has Nicolette Siegert, which from this article from the Buffalo News, you see is her husbands last name.
Conclusion:
- Nikki will be eliminated from Food Network Star before the finale, as she filed for a trademark of her POV, which she wouldn't have done if she was in the final. Otherwise, there may be legal issues with the Food Network over this.
- Also, Nikki Dinki is her maiden name, but I guess she uses it for all of her entertainment work.
What do you guys think? Any lawyers out there who are better at reading into things like this?
Not conclusive, but definitely highly suggestive.
ReplyDeleteI agree, highly suggestive. Nikki had or has a web show, so it's possible she's protecting her idea just to be on the safe side. It's possible she's one of the finalists...but those guys still don't know who will win, because the public will be voting at the end. She might be protecting herself. As she should. From what I hear, FN owns your soul if you so much as breathe the same air the producers do.
ReplyDeleteGotta give you credit for finding this, but it doesn't mean anything. My husband is a lawyer and said there is nothing in the contract saying I can't file a trademark, and since no one has won yet it was a good idea to protect the idea and file now as by the end of the show someone else could have. Just being cautious :)
ReplyDeleteNikki is absolutely gorgeous and I hope she wins!
ReplyDeleteTrademarks can be transferred, and if she did win, Food Network wouldn't want to register the name because then it would be obvious who the winner was. But they *would* want it registered so nobody else could register it before it became clear that she might win. I think it's just as likely that this means she won than that she didn't. In other words, intriguing but completely inconclusive.
ReplyDeleteI'm rooting for her, personally. I normally dislike bubbly YouTube hosts but she actually seems smart, humble and self-aware, and she's cute!
Hmmm. Did Justin file anything for trademark near the beginning of his run, or during the series? How about the other winners? Got to know these things prior to wagering :-)
ReplyDeleteNo other winners or losers have any trademarks that I know of.
ReplyDeleteIs te person above the real Nikki Dinki ? She said "Just being cautious :-)". Which is what I thought.
ReplyDeleteYes thats her. She also responded to this on Twitter
ReplyDeleteOf course she will be cut. They don't want t FNS who is prettier than Giadai
ReplyDeleteVery clever. I only just read this after Nikki was eliminated. And I am shocked. Nikki got robbed because Rodney Henry is a culinary disaster.
ReplyDeletehttp://a-teachers-view.blogspot.com/2013/07/next-food-network-star-disaster-nikki.html
Makes no sense.
ReplyDeleteJust because you didn't make the finale doesn't mean you are not talented. I am sure you will have continued success in your future. I was rooting for you to win on the show and now am rooting for you in your next chapter in your career. Way to go Nikki!! Keep pursuing your dreams! :)
ReplyDeleteSo sad Nicki got eliminated! She should have won. Foodnetwork made a mistake on that one! And I agree that Rodney is a disaster! He can't even talk properly, he sounds and looks like an idiot. Stacy seems rude and fake and dont even start me on Demaris!
ReplyDeleteNikki is the only one of the top five that I would watch. Don't know what they were thinking!
ReplyDeleteI cannot believe she was eliminated. Rodney can barely speak English and his sole point of view is to make everything into a poorly prepared disaster of a pie. Stacey is so phoney it makes me sick. Russell's "culinary sins" is just stupid. This was a terrible decision and obviously motivated by their desire to have an equal balance of men and women in the final four.
ReplyDeleteLegally she could own the trademark and still license it to Food Network. That's pretty common. I'm not sure, but who, if anyone owns the trademarks for "Emeril Live" or "Molto Mario?" It could be the network, but they could be owned by the chefs. Keep in mind that a trademark only covers the name and symbol, not the content. Even if Lagasse owns the trademark for "Emeril Live", Food Network owns the rights to broadcast the show.
ReplyDeleteThe contract doesn't say that she can't trademark anything. I think the timing was a good clue, however, that she was going to be out.
Very good response
ReplyDelete137 people have already signed this petition to get Nikki Dinki her own show on Food Network - you should too! https://www.change.org/petitions/television-food-network-give-nikki-dinki-her-own-show
ReplyDeleteGuess this comment means nothing now. BUSTED!
ReplyDeleteNikki...I' Kind Of Glad You Didn't Win After Thinking About It. I WillLook For Your Blog And Hoping To See Your Show Independent Of The Food Network. Best Of Luck!
ReplyDelete