P&G's Mexican Patent Application, page-4

Some curious facts:
- OBJ has only recently told us that P&G has been working on applying OBJ's micro-array technology to deodorants. The magnetic micro-array deodorant stick is obviously one of the workplans that has been in progress for well over a year.
- In March this year P&G files a patent application for protection of the OBJ skincare micro-array in Mexico, although we know that the SK-II magnetic wand or Olay wand was never released in Mexico, nor have any trade mark applications been filed in Mexico for protection of the wand as a device. Note, however, that the technology covered by the skin care patent would offer exactly the same legal protection to a wand or a deodorant stick incorporating the micro-array. A patent doesn't protect a name or brand or particular manifestation of the technology - it protects the fundamental invention (i.e. use of the micro-array).
- In July this year, P&G's wholly owned subsidiary, Gillette Inc, filed trade mark applications in relation to SCENTXTEND (for deodorant products) in Mexico, Brazil and Columbia (see below).



Admittedly, the "XTEND" brand has been around a while, which undermines the theory. However, if I was planning to roll out the magnetic microarray deodorant stick, that is the order in which I would address the intellectual property issues:
- patent application first, in country of product manufacture (presumably Mexico)
- trade mark applications second (a few months later) in countries of distribution in South America.

Perhaps just a coincidence.