[vh_supra26]

By Andrew Ganz

Earlier this month, Toyota applied to renew its long-expired trademark on the Supra name in the United States. Although the company is mostly mum on the subject, an easy-to-reach conclusion would suggest that Toyota could revive the historic badge for its upcoming FT-86 sports car.

Toyota apparently let the Supra trademark expire in 2006 and the automaker never bothered to renew one of its best-known nameplates until earlier this month. According to Car and Driver, Toyota filed an application to take ownership of the Supra name on July 16 with the U.S. Patent and Trademark office.
The magazine did talk with Toyota communication VP Mike Michels, who said that the automaker registered the name “provisionally” in an effort to preserve ownership of the historic name. This is hardly uncommon among automakers who hold onto model name trademarks long after discontinuing a line, although Toyota’s decision certainly comes at a unique time.

http://www.leftlanenews.com/toyota-t...nameplate.html

Report: Toyota secures trademark for Supra name


Toyota FT-HS Concept – Click above for high-res image gallery

What's in a name? Well now, that'd depend on the name, wouldn't it? For instance, while both are sporty cars from Ford, there's a big difference to Blue Oval fans when discussing the merits of the Ford Mustang versus the Ford Probe. When talk turns to Toyota, the name that conjures up the most memories in the hearts and minds of enthusiasts is 'Supra.'

Despite all this, the Japanese automaker inexplicably let its trademark for the iconic Supra moniker pass by in 2006. Luckily, nobody tried to punish Toyota by trying to snap up the name, and now the chance is over. According to Car and Driver, Toyota has reapplied for the trademark on the Supra name, and now has three years to make use of it.

This revelation just so happens to coincide with reports that Toyota president Akio Toyoda wants "to see the next Supra tested in the near future." Kinda makes you wonder, doesn't it? We're thinking that it's unlikely that Toyota would use the Supra name for its long-anticipated FT-86 revival, so we'll of course be keeping our ears to the ground for any sportscar news coming out of Japan.

http://www.autoblog.com/2010/07/30/r...or-supra-name/