[Bumped Up On Wed. Morning 09.30.2020] Once, Long Ago -- When An "Immovable Object Met An Irresistible Force..."

This is now (based on a few wide-ranging US federal courts searches) one of the longest commercial trademark/name disputes in US history -- and it is absolutely so, if we measure from the date of the last wide ranging settlement in the middle 1970s (and count only actually identical names -- like the WWF v. WWF one). . . but by way of comparison World Wildlife vs. World Wrestling (over the WWF acronym) only lasted 13 years. We are well over 50 now, here -- and just over 100, if we count from that day of the signing of the Treaty of Versailles (at the close of WW I), all in.

I mention all of this with a twinkle in my eye, since it seems that even the New Jersey federal courts are tiring of this battle of titans, in the pharmaceuticals space -- German v. US to and fro'. We've long advocated for, and like many others, encouraged each side to find a. . . negotiated settlement. As of this morning, the parties have been ordered to either select a private party mediator, or choose a settlement conference -- in front of the court, as at least one route to getting this one moved off dead center, thus:

. . .As discussed during the September 29, 2020 telephone status conference, on or before October 12, 2020, the parties will inform the Court whether they wish for the Undersigned to conduct a settlement conference with them before the end of November, or whether they have agreed to the selection of a private mediator, as well as three possible dates in November for such a settlement conference if it is to be before the Undersigned. So Ordered by Magistrate Judge Michael A. Hammer on 9/29/2020. . . .

We shall, as ever -- see. And of course, the same battle rages on in the courts of Germany, Japan, parts of South and Central America, Australia and Canada -- as well as the UK -- to name just a few. I've long said it would save both titans tens of millions in the long run (in legal fees alone), if they would settle, but I now suspect it will grind on, deep into 2021 -- and perhaps beyond.

Onward on a cool, breezy fall afternoon -- and in an ironic echo of the above -- I for one am expecting a lot of heat, but very little light, from tonight's debate. But as a citizen, I guess I have a duty to watch. . . even if I cannot stand the sight (or sound) of the incumbent.

नमस्ते