FWIW, I haven't heard of this but wouldn't be surprised, because that's the way trademarks work in the U.S. legal system. If you do not actively protect it, a future company can make the claim that the trademark was abandoned because it wasn't being enforced. It stinks that it has to be that way, but blame the law, not the company for doing what it needs to do to maintain the protections of the law.
At one time, Segway licensed its name for use by dealers and such. Not sure if they still do that any more.
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An original Segway employee, 2001-2005
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