h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

You can register a shape as a Trademark.

The Bass Red Triangle was the first trademark to be registered under the UK's Trade Mark Registration Act 1875, as trade mark number 1.

A Community Trade Mark is one that has been registered in the European Union as a whole.

So what familiar shape is Community Trade Mark 834150?

I just googled it. Yes, I'm weak, but I just wanted to know.

Posting the answer now would spoil everyone else's fun though, so I'm not going to.


Geggs

The circle?

In this specific case, would the circle of stars that represents the EU be a headlong fall into klaxon oblivion?

Car manufacturers could be in the frame; Mercedes, Audi.

Ooh, circle of stars is indeed on my list of s. Unlucky.

Not car related either.

I'm guessing that as it has quite a high number, it's a familiar shape that the owners only got round to trademarking recently.

Is it €? Or is that another

RF

Gosh darn it!

Ooh, the rectangle which is now the basis for any national flag?

I have no idea.
But I believe it should be noted that shapes of 3 as well 2 dimensions can be so trade marked.

rubik's cube?

Would it be the letters 'EU'? I know you said 'shape' but technically letters are shapes... At least that is my twisty way of thinking.

It isn't the euro symbol, a rectangle, a flag, a Rubik's cube (which is patented) or the letters EU. But no klaxons there either.

Jack Winterbourne gets a DGI point for 3d shapes.

I can see myself banging my head on the desk when the answer is revealed...

A rotating house symbol?

Double helix?

Is it the rotating sign outside New Scotland Yard? http://defencedebates.files.wordpress.com/2009/03/new_scotland_yard_sign_3.jpg

RF

So what familiar shape is Community Trade Mark 834150?

H2G2

Familiar shape? We're talking a geometrical shape here?

A common one? and Circle has been Klaxoned...

And, given the DGI for 3d shapes (e.g. the coke bottle IIRC), its not 3d.

Not Rectangle?

Ah Triangle was mentioned in the question so unlikely to be that...

Star? But that would be in the EU flag... Oh...

It was a no to a ring of stars, not a single star...

So, maybe its a star?

the european coast line as seen on the euro coins

Familiar shape of community TradeMark 834150

Weetabix, badley written ramblings.
http://badleywritten.blogspot.com/2010/03/community-trademark.number834150.htlm

What is this place QI?

I sense a Klaxon for Star....

Familiar shape?

what do we see every day?
That "could" have a trademark associated with it...
Most TMs are things that can't be patented or Copyrighted...
So not newspaper, or book, or device. Ekky points at Beer, Triangle as being TM...
So maybe food?

OK, Food, shapes..

Breakfast - Cheerio hoops? Cornflake..., Shreddies Square, Shredded Wheat - Rectangle, Weetabix - Lozenge(ish), Nabisco sign (triangle). Teabags - pyramid, round, or Square. Toast - Rectangle, Milk bottle, Juice Carton...

Lunch/Dinner - Sandwich (rectangle or triangle), Burger - round, Hotdog - Hotdoggish shaped.. Cheese - rectangular - spready cheese triangles -or arc of circle... Fish Fingers - Finger shaped... Yoghurts/Fromage Frais, shape of? Bagels - hoop again. Drinks - Coke bottle, Pepsi Bottle.. Hmm suspect almost all bottle shapes are TM'ed these days...

too many shapes, shapes everywhere!!!