“It’s curtains” clearly means “the end” or “an adverse ending to something.”
So, the more ambiguous portion of my opening question is, which Corona?
The present news cycle would have us believe there are two: a virus and a beer.
Both the beer and virus names come from the Latin translation to “crown.”
Last week there were some odd suggestions that the two have become one.
Actually, the suggestions about confusion derived from a spike in internet searches for “corona beer virus” and “beer virus,” between January 22 and 30.
A more sober analysis may reveal the searching spike was from those looking for silly memes to share, not evidencing any mistaken belief of a real connection.
Indeed, the beer brand is not concerned about confusion: “Consumers, by and large, understand there’s no linkage between the virus and our beer/business.”
Cartoonist Geoff Coates knows the difference, and offers a funny take on the topic.
But, back to the original question, let’s hope it’s curtains for the coronavirus soon, it is a serious health problem that seems to be growing in scope, not shrinking.
As to the beer brand, despite a late night comedian’s assertion that Corona beer sales actually have suffered from confusion, curtains aren’t likely for the brand.
Actually, even if there was a drop in January Corona beer sales, it might be better explained by the growing interest in drinking less during Dry January.
On January 8, 2020, Corona filed this logo — had it come two weeks later, perhaps it would have included another type of needed protection, given the virus crisis:
Truth be told, there are actually lots of Corona brands and trademarks out there.
“Corona” is presently federally-registered in the U.S. by a multitude of others for products and services as diverse as chocolates, wine, jewelry, cotton fabric, corn-grinders, meat choppers, plastic food product containers, dinnerware, toilets, toothbrushes, ointment, pruning shears, book-binding machines, accordions, electric heaters, oil stoves, personal headlamps, spectrometers, laboratory instruments, paint brushes, environmental services, gymnastic mats, computer software, animal shampoo, dog and cat food, and order fulfillment services.
Apparently there is a common marketing and business interest across many different industries to suggest a brand is royal or perhaps crown-worthy.
Maybe a silver lining in the story for Corona beer, is that the unsolicited media attention may indicate strong trademark rights in the face of this crowded field.
What puzzles me are the intent-to-use trademark filings last week for Wuhan Vax, Wuhan Corona Vax, Wuhan Mvax, and Wuhan Corona Mvax, all for vaccines.
If a vaccine became available to treat the deadly virus soon, wouldn’t those names be appropriate descriptive or generic vaccine names (not brand or trade names)?
Or, given the USPTO’s heightened focus on incapable informational matter, let’s stay tuned to see how these claimed virus marks are treated during examination.
After all, the virus is also called Wuhan Virus, as it was first found in Wuhan, China.
In the end, when it’s curtain call for the vaccine, will the Corona Curtain be raised?