Merry-Go-Round Enterprises Inc. is selling dozens of its trademarks as part of its bankruptcy liquidation case, one of the final vestiges of the Joppa-based retail chain's former glory.
Among the better known names on the auction block are Cignal, Chess King and I. O. U., but the once-trendy clothier also is peddling the labels of lesser-known brands such as Hombre Mode and Blue Zone, along with a 388,000-name customer list and promotional material, including Chess King bags.
Bids on the names and trademarks are due Sept. 30.
Merry-Go-Round is being forced to sell the trademarks in a sealed bid auction as part of its Chapter 7 bankruptcy proceeding, which it voluntarily assumed in February.
So far, manufacturers and off-price retailers have shown the most interest in Merry-Go-Round's intellectual properties, said Atlantic Auctions, the auction house conducting the sale.
While some trademarks raise millions, analysts differ on how much the Merry-Go-Round properties might fetch.
Money from the sale will help pay off more than 8,000 claims against the company.
Pub Date: 9/19/96
