3/18/2009 - If you were going to start a fundraiser for flood victims, and hold a run through the flood-affected areas of Cedar Rapids, what would you call it?

You, and the two women who are organizing this charitable venture figured the best name would be, "Cedar Rapids Flood Run."

Turns out that's a horrible name.  Not by my account, but by the organizers of "The Flood Run." 

They're a group of motorcycle riders in Minnesota and Wisconsin that use the term to hold a "Flood Run" each year by visiting several bars between Lake St. Croix Beach, WI and Winona, MN.

As it turns out, they raise money for Gillette Childrens Miracle Network.  I originally had it wrong.  I thought I saw they raised money for a different organization.  But, as it also turns out, that group has trademarked the term "Flood Run."

Organizer Brian Denny says the Flood Run started back in 1965.  He says they trademarked the name a few years ago to prevent people printing unlicensed t-shirts and selling them along the route, and not giving the money to Gillette.  He goes on to say they are afraid Cedar Rapids is too close to the Run, and could confuse the riders.  Denny says they get hundreds, if not thousands of riders from Iowa that come each year.

This came like a blow to the stomach to the women.  They had been planning their run since last October, and just this week were told they would have to completely change everything about all the marketing and website they've spent countless hours and dollars of their own.

The group in Minnesota said there was no compromise by calling it the Cedar Rapids Flood Run.  And, because the two words anyone could find in the dictionary and put together, are now trademarked by this Minnesota group, no one else can use them.  If the Cedar Rapids group didn't change, the Minnesota group was threatening legal action.

Now, with only a few months until the run in Cedar Rapids, you  can look out for, "Run the Flood."

It makes you wonder just what can be trademarked. 

I think I'll trademark, "Floods Suck."