Bose Loses 'Lifestyle' Suit

Like two pit bulls tussling over a piece of rotten meat, CEDIA and Bose have been at war over the right to use the word "lifestyle." The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has finally ruled that Bose may not prevent CEDIA from using the déclassé cliché.

CEDIA, the Custom Electronic Design & Installation Association, has been promoting what it awkwardly calls Electronic Lifestyles products, services, and events since 1997. Bose has been using the nauseating term Lifestyle even longer, applying it to music systems since 1990.

Bose sued CEDIA, claiming that the embarrassing linguistic baggage was a registered trademark. CEDIA resisted and eventually prevailed. Under the decision, both parties will be allowed to continue flinging the rancid buzzword at consumers.

"We look forward to receiving an apology from Bose--in whatever form it might take," said a former president of CEDIA. The English language, suffering from internal injuries and shock, was reported to be in stable condition.

X