kaled - 4:39 pm on Nov 16, 2010 (gmt 0)

Each and every one of those trademarks (except Scotch Whisky) will have multiple registrations around the globe. I'm not sure about Scotch Whiskey - it certainly doesn't belong to a company but maybe is protected by one of those funny regional thingies.

It's also worth noting that trademarks can be limited in scope and/or be shared. For instance, Apple computers were able to use the name because they were not operating in the music business.

Amazingly, Volkswagen bought the Rolls Royce car company, but their lawyers stuffed up and they didn't buy the name so VW now sell cars under the Bentley name instead. The "Rolls Royce" name was bought by BMW and is shared by the aero-engine company.

Kaled.