| Stars and Stripes
European ~ Pacific Stars and Stripes, Central Office 529 14th Street, NW Suite 350 Washington, DC 20045-1301 (202) 761-0900 DSN: 763-0900 www.estripes.com May 15, 2001 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Washington, D.C. –Stars and Stripes Omnimedia, Inc., the successor to a U.S.-based newspaper targeted to military veterans published by National Tribune Corporation, has announced its assets are for sale. This is not European and Pacific Stars and Stripes (S?S), the well-known overseas daily newspaper managed by the U.S. Department of Defense. In an e-mail sent by Chief Executive Officer Jack Colletti to potential purchasers, Omnimedia announced that its “Board of Directors had directed the CEO to notify all interested parties that we are seeking prospective buyers for the company’s assets.” According to Mr. Colletti, the assets include the Omnimedia owned veterans weekly newspaper also called “Stars and Stripes,” two specialty publications, and two Internet sites. European and Pacific Stars and Stripes, which is associated with the Department of Defense and has no connection with Omnimedia, publishes a daily newspaper for members of the military overseas. The organization, European and Pacific Stars and Stripes and its products are not for sale, and never have been. In addition, European and Pacific Stars and Stripes has maintained a website since 1995 under the trade name Stars and Stripes, where it provides news and information to the general public at estripes.com. As has previously been reported in the European and Pacific Stars and Stripes newspaper, the use of the words Stars and Stripes on the Omnimedia Internet site has led to conflict between the two organizations. The Department of Defense, on behalf of European and Pacific Stars and Stripes, filed a Notice of Opposition in an attempt to prevent trademark registration by Omnimedia of the words Stars and Stripes in connection with its use of the words on the Internet. Resolution of this conflict is pending before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. The Publisher of the European and Pacific Stars and Stripes had no comment regarding what effect, if any, the sale of assets by Omnimedia might have on their legal disputes. CONTACT: Mandy Smith-Nethercott DSN 349-8357 CIV (49) 06155-601357 |