Which came first? The movie or the olive oil?

September 19, 2009 10:49 PM

Godfatherfilter: Genco Olive Oil exists -- but did the movie/novel come about first? A puzzlement!

My husband and I were shopping last weekend, and passed a display of pasta, canned tomatoes (San Marzano brand -- yummy and recommended) and a big can of "Genco Olive Oil." I instantly recognized the front -- ahem, the name and we bought it just for the can (I don't have high hopes for the oil itself -- it's a blend of oils from Italy, Spain, Greece, and Tunisia).

So I went online to determine if it's been around forever and Puzo just used the name (which seemed unlikely) or it's a clever if somewhat dated marketing ploy. Google is failing me. It's distributed by Ciuiti International of Los Angeles.

Any of youse wise guys knows?

posted by potsmokinghippieoverlord to media & arts (4 answers total)

Is this what you bought? The trademark on that design was registered in 1997 by A & J Cheese Company, Inc., canceled in 2004. Their application said it was first used in commerce on May 1, 1995.
posted by Knappster at 11:25 PM on September 19, 2009

Indeed! "Canceled under section 8" -- wonder what that means. Here's a bit about A & J Cheese. If it's not active, then who's making the oil?
posted by potsmokinghippieoverlord at 11:31 PM on September 19, 2009

Eh?
posted by potsmokinghippieoverlord at 11:40 PM on September 19, 2009

Info on Section 8
posted by Daddy-O at 12:40 AM on September 20, 2009