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"We spend enormous time protecting the word 'Tabasco' so that we don't have exactly this problem," Simmons said. "Why Mr. Tran did not do that, I don't know."

I think you just answered your own question, Mr. Simmons. Mr. Tran enjoys making delicious hot sauce, not spending his precious time running around suing people.

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"Tran also said he was discouraged to seek a trademark because it would have been difficult getting one named after a real-life location...Unlike the name, Tran trademarked his rooster logo and distinctive bottle."

Tabasco is a state in Mexico, though; how were its trademark owners able to obtain the name?

Legally, it's due to context of use.

eg Microsoft doesn't own my ability to use the word windows as it pertains to the physical objects I look out of my house through. I can start a window company, and use the word windows accordingly. We have the clearest, best windows, of any window manufacturer.

Thanks for explaining that to me. To add to the confusion, tabasco is also a pepper cultivar named after the Mexican state.

Tabasco could never be as big as Ketchup if only one provider was pushing it.

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