Rolling Out Six Sigma – Legal Reqirements

The only legal issue would be to not “use” someones training material. You would have to develop your own or license the material from someone. You can hire whomever you like unless your company has some agreement that they cannot hire from another firm.  feel free to drop me an email [email protected]

Bobby –
 
Who is that owns this suppossed trademark?
Not a lawyer, but I think in order to protect a trademark, you must challenge all unauthorized use or it passes to public domain. Perhaps the six or seven authors whose books I can see on my shelf right now paid the suppossed owner of the mark?
I think if it ever were trademarked (by Motorola?) , it no longer is enforcable.
The training material is another issue.You must develop your own, substantially change or credit the original source as the case may be.
 
 

Motorola is who I heard.  As far as enforceability, you would need to consult your lawyer.  I am certainly no lawyer.
As far as training materials, there are two ways you can go.
One, you most likely can purchase existing training materials from GE, Motorola, etc, if you are willing to pay their price.
Two, if you use a group (George, Pivotal, Leap, BMG, etc) to conduct your training, you would probably be able to purchase their materials or develop your own with their assistance.

Motorola has a trademark on a “stylized form” of the words “SIX SIGMA.” They do not own the phrase itself. If you want to use the same “stylized form” of the words to describe your six sigma program, then you would owe something to Motorola.
You can get to the US Patentent Office website through the link to the left, “New To Six Sigma.” Go to the ‘History of Six Sigma’ article. You can follow the links to the patent office website. There are several versions of “stylized” six sigma trademarks registered by many different companies. If you are unsure of your rights or liabilities, talk to a patent attorney.
But don’t take my word for it, I am not a lawyer. 

Per the USPO:
Typed Drawing

Word Mark
MASTER BLACK BELT

Goods and Services
(ABANDONED) IC 041. US 100 101 107. G & S: Educational services, namely, classes, seminars, workshops, and training sessions in the field of quality control, business performance, and business management. FIRST USE: 19940930. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 19940930

Mark Drawing Code
(1) TYPED DRAWING

Serial Number
75426763

Filing Date
January 31, 1998

Published for Opposition
June 6, 2000

Owner
(APPLICANT) Sigma Consultants, L.L.C. LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY ARIZONA 8900 East Pinnacle Peak Road, Suite 205 Scottsdale ARIZONA 85255

Attorney of Record
MARVIN A GLAZER

Type of Mark
SERVICE MARK

Register
PRINCIPAL

Live/Dead Indicator
DEAD

Abandonment Date
August 31, 2001
 
Same for BB.

When the words used in any title or discurs (it’s an universal right) are common terms, like six and sigma, any person in the World, can use them, as needed.
I could use SIX SIGMA REINALDO as my right of citizen of this planet and nobody can claim any right on it!