January 1990

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Dear Tom and Ray:
Car companies are constantly coming up with names like Pinto, Taurus, Mustang etc. Do they pay for new names? Who would I write to?
Joe

RAY: You've got a name that you want to sell, huh? Unfortunately, you can't protect a trademark on your name unless you actually produce a product.

TOM: So what you have to do first is develop the car. Then name it and apply for the trademark. Once you've gotten the trademark, all you've got to do is convince General Motors to buy you out.

RAY: I understand they pay $100 to $200 for names, so after the research, development, and production costs are paid off, you should only be out about $70-80 million. Good luck!

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© 2006 by Tom and Ray Magliozzi and Doug Berman. Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.

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Auto repairs can be costly! Save money by ordering Tom and Ray's pamphlet: "Ten Ways You May Be Ruining Your Car Without Even Knowing It!" To order, send (check or money order) to Ruin, P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475. You can also order online.