The National Football League (NFL) has a trademark on the name "Super Bowl" for its championship game. Advertisers can use the words Super Bowl in their advertising only if they pay the NFL a fee. Many companies attempt to get around this trademark by using the phrase "the big game" in their advertising. For example, a few days before the Super Bowl, a consumer electronics store might have an advertisement with the phrase "Watch the big game on a new LED TV." In 2006, the National Football League filed for a trademark on the phrase "Big Game," although it eventually withdrew the filing after firms such as Domino's Pizza, Dell, Time Warner Cable, and some universities filed an objection with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
a. Why does the government allow firms to trademark their products?
b. Would consumers gain or lose if the NFL were allowed to trademark the phrase "Big Game"? Briefly explain.