Alan Gerry has been careful not to use the federally registered trademark Woodstock in promoting his concerts this year on the site of the famous 1969 rock fest. Instead, it's A Day in the Garden.

It seems Woodstock Ventures, owner of the trademark, has been holding the familiar brand out for Gerry's inspection, for possible use in the future.

Both acknowledge there have been talks about a possible "association," but no offer to buy the rights has been made.

Gerry spokesman Michael J. DiTullo said this week that the Woodstock brand – which is protected only when used in the context of a musical performance – is not essential to Gerry's long range plans to create a major tourist destination at the original site.

"We're not interested in promoting the Woodstock phenomenon. It was a seminal moment in American history without a doubt. That is something we truly respect. It is a brand name, but we own the site," he said.

But neither camp is ruling out the possibility of a 30th anniversary event next year at Bethel under the Woodstock flag.

Woodstock Ventures partner John Robert's opinion is that A Day in the Garden just doesn't have the legs that Woodstock has. "It won't have the global reach," he said.

The Woodstock trademark has generated hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue, mostly from the documentary film, album sales, the licensed sale of memorabilia and the 25th anniversary concert in Saugerties in 1994, according to Roberts, one of three partners who put on the original concert.

The Times Herald-Record Print Edition
Copyright August, 1998,
Orange County Publications, a division of Ottaway Newspapers
all rights reserved.