Nuevo Juan Valdez

Here's an amusing story that puts a human face on trademarks: 'Juan Valdez' Is Hanging Up His Poncho.

I didn't realize it, but Carlos Sanchez has been playing Mr. Valdez since 1969. I just figured they kept finding similar actors to play the guy. The role itself originated with another gentleman in 1959.

Although I doubt that the Colombian coffee cartel has a registered trademark for Mr. Sanchez's visage, I certainly suspect they have established worldwide common law rights to the man.

There's another example of this in the Columbia Pictures logo, which has a woman holding a torch. Over the years the general layout has remained similar, however the actual representation of the woman holding the torch has changed- including the look of the woman. Currently it is modeled after Jenny Joseph (and not Annette Benning as commonly thought). More info at Wikipedia.

Goodbye Mr. Sanchez, and we certainly look forward to your mustached replacement. Hopefully there's no big change like the Brawny Man recently endured.