Proper use of the term Argentium

Jewelry Discussion
1

Orchid,

I have been advised by folks at Argentium Silver Co. that use of the
word “Argentium” on its own may lead to the word becoming a generic
term used to describe tarnish resistant, firescale-free silver
alloys.

In order to comply with the trademarks laws, please note that the
proper way this alloy should be referred to is either “Argentium[tm]
Sterling Silver” or “Argentium Sterling”.

Argentium Silver Co. are very excited about the activity on Orchid
relating to “Argentium Sterling Silver” and do not wish to offend
anybody by correcting their naming of the alloy, however they need
to protect their trademark rights.

Thank you for your cooperation and understanding!
Hanuman

2 
    Argentium Silver Co. are very excited about the activity on
Orchid relating to "Argentium Sterling Silver" and do not wish to
offend anybody by correcting their naming of the alloy, however
they need to protect their trademark rights.

When I was 14 I had my first guest opinion piece published in our
local newspaper; in it I made a reference to something being used as
kitty litter (lower case). Imagine my horror when I received, not
much later, my very first letter from a law firm advising me I was
to cease and desist the use of their branded name Kitty Litter[TM]
and all that garbledeegook. Urk! Well, that was 27 years ago and it
didn’t work - the words became generic, but IMO is was great for the
company because of all the free exposure.

Congrats to Argentium Silver Co and their Artentium Sterling, but
trying to control the use of languague is a losing battle!!

3 
Congrats to Argentium Silver Co and their Artentium Sterling, but
trying to control the use of languague is a losing battle!!

Hello Roseann,

I don’t think it’s so much a matter of them trying to control the
language as it is a matter of them trying to protect their copyright.
It’s my understanding that if they can’t prove in court that they’ve
tried to defend their copyright then they stand to lose it. I can see
no reason why they should suffer that indignity.

I’ve heard from the Argentium Sterling people about this too and as a
result I quite happily did a sweep through my blog and changed all
the references to “Argentium Silver”. Since it’s a great product and
they’ve been exceptionally helpful to anyone who asks I for one happy
to do my part to help them out.

I agree that it’s easy to get one’s back up over this but in the end
it’s not a huge request they’re making and they’ve got good reasons
for doing so, IMHO.

Cheers,
Trevor F.
in The City of Light

4 
Congrats to Argentium Silver Co and their Artentium Sterling, but
trying to control the use of languague is a losing battle!!

Perhaps they do not have to control the language, but rather they
need to show a good faith effort to do so, for legal reasons. Hmmm?

M’lou Brubaker, Jeweler
Goodland, MN
www.craftswomen.com