----- Original Message -----
From: "Cheryl L Mitchell" < [email protected] >
To: [NAME REMOVED]Subject: Use of DuPont trademark
To Whom It May Concern:
It has come to our attention that your internet website includes referencesto the DuPont Teflon® brand of non-stick coatings for cookware and alleges that Teflon® non-stick coatings may be unsafe for exotic birds kept as pets. There are several points we would like to address: Teflon® is a DuPont registered trademark that is used for fluoropolymer-based non-stick coatings as well as other products. Other companies market similar products for cookware or other applications under different trademarks. Use of the Teflon® brand by parties other than DuPont is allowed only through a licensing agreement with DuPont. Therefore, the use of the Teflon® brand on your website is not only potentially inaccurate in that it is used to describe products which may not be manufactured or marketed by DuPont, but it constitutes from a legal standpoint an inappropriate use of this DuPont intellectual asset. As such, we ask that you remove all references to DuPont Teflon® from your internet website by XXX, November XX, 2002.
Please confirm in writing your compliance to this request so we can note our records.
With regard to allegations that non-stick coatings made with Teflon® or other fluoropolymer coatings maybe harmful to birds, veterinary experts advise keeping pet birds away from cooking and cleaning fumes. These fumes can be hazardous to birds because birds are small and have very sensitive respiratory systems. This includes fumes from many household cleaning products, fumes from overheated cooking fats, and fumes from overheated non-stick cookware made with fluoropolymer coatings.
It may be helpful for you to know that, several years, ago, DuPont co-sponsored along with a veterinarian the development of a brochure entitled, "Making a Safe Home for Your Bird. This brochure is available on the internet at the following address: http://www.dupont.com/teflon/newsroom/bird.html
Sincerely,
James V. Forte
Global Brand Manager – Teflon®Teflon® is a registered trademark of DuPont.
This communication is for use by the intended recipient and contains information that may be privileged, confidential or copyrighted under applicable law. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby formally notified that any use, copying or distribution of this e-mail, in whole or in part, is strictly prohibited. Please notify the sender by return e-mail and delete this e-mail from your system. Unless explicitly and conspicuously designated as "E-Contract Intended", this e-mail does not constitute a contract offer, a contract amendment, or an acceptance of a contract offer. This e-mail does not constitute a consent to the use of sender's contact information for direct marketing purposes or for transfers of data to third parties.
Other letters from DuPont to bird owners:
