This watch has been around for ages, and I'm still not sure why they called it the MacGyver watch.

But anyway heres an in depth look at it and it's functions.

click

I've been trying to get one on ebay, but I don't manage to get the highest bid
(I like the watch, the fact that it's an mp3 player as mine is broken and of course the name is the coolest)

Yeah, I imagine the designers of the watch are just fans of MacGyver.
Even though that watch looks more like James Bond's watch.

Do the MacGyver people have a way to protect the name? Is it trademarked or anything? I’ve seen some trainers around called MacGyver Trainers I don't know why MacGyver is the name.

I *always* wondered that too! When I (of course) search for 'MacGyver' on ebay, that watch always comes up. I saw the shoes the other day too... weird. Maybe their thinking of MacGyver, as in, the thing does something that you would never think? Thats a stretch... but then what about the shoes??! Hmmmmm...

Maybe they turn in to a rope and grappling hook if you click your heels together.
There are MacGyver Skate Shoes from that company too.

I think you're giving them credit for far more creativity, and actual knowledge of the show, than is due -- we're talking about cheesy marketing ploys, after all. Maybe next we'll see the MacGyver flannel shirt!

How many times? It can't be three times -- that takes you home!

Do the MacGyver people have a way to protect the name? Is it trademarked or anything? I’ve seen some trainers around called MacGyver Trainers I don't know why MacGyver is the name.

MacGYVER is a trademark of Paramount Studios. but its the actual title word which is the trademark.

As I understand it, you can't actually stop someone from simply using the word or name. It has to be the actual MacGYVER logo being used. If Paramount wanted to cry foul they would have to prove that the name was indeed referring to their TV show. I'm not sure if trademark has a fair use clause like copyright has, but if it does they would need to prove it was beyond fair use as well.

I don't think commercial use can be claimed as "fair use". Paramount might have a case with the trainers (aka tennis shoes, if anyone got lost over that term), but I don't know how well it would apply under international trademark protections -- "fair use" (as I understand it) is based on US law. Apple computer and Apple music had a major battle across international boundaries, but I just ended up more confused than before.

Well unless there is actual connection with the TV show I think they would be hard pressed to do anything about the name being used because neither the watch or shoes use the actual MacGYVER trademark and you can't trademark a word.. it has to be an emblem or logo.

I'm not sure I understand the beyond Fair use term properly. I’m guessing that it is if money is being made purely because they are using the name of the show or if they use the name and their product has a detrimental effect on the MacGyver name in some way or something?
Though I bet Paramount would care less about the effect on MacGyver name than the fans would. I wish Paramount would complain every time the press paints MacGyver as someone who makes bombs out of sticks of chewing gum at every opportunity. Its things like that that caused those homemade bombs that have been in the news to be nicknamed MacGyver bombs.

heres some information about fair use


and heres some information about trade marks

Thanks for fixing the link, Rocky, and I still think that website is a wonderful resource. Thanks for the bookmark!

The coolest thing is that it could be used for a flash drive, too.

That would be handy!

Awesome link, Rocky.