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O'Reilly and CMP Exercise Trademark on 'Web 2.0'

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the can't-have-confusion-2.0 dept.

theodp writes "On May 16, the USPTO notified CMP Media, which co-presents the Web 2.0 Conference with O'Reilly, that its trademark for Web 2.0 was entitled to be registered. Eight days later, CMP sicced its lawyers on not-for-profit IT@Cork, taking the networking organization to task for not only using the term Web 2.0 for its free conference, but also for linking to a What is Web 2.0 article penned by Tim O'Reilly." It should be noted that their trademark only applies to the titles of industry events (CMP is a show organizer).

24 of 229 comments (clear)

  1. Dibs by eldavojohn · · Score: 5, Funny

    In an effort to curb the misuse of my technological terms by the industry, I am now trademarking Web 3.0, Web 4.0, Web 5.0, Web 6.0, Web 7.0, Web 8.0, Web 9.0, Web 1337.0, Web 69.0 and Web Pi.

    Web 3.0-9.0 refer to the idea of websites being more and more progressively interactive with the user. The final, Web 9.0, requiring electrodes implanted in your brain so you actually walk between websites and are subject to the sounds & smells of the internet. It is not advised to use 9.0 if you don't have adequate protection against script kiddies.

    Web 1337.0 refers to the idea that websites should be covered in flying toasters and dancing Jesuses and massive abuse of blinking marquee tags.

    I'd describe the other Web x.0s but then Slashdot would be linked to those descriptions and I would be obligated to sue the OSTG.

    This is an unfortunate but necessary move on my part to protect the idea of these terms. On what grounds do I register these trademarks? I have meme maps! And I'm not afraid to publish them!

    --
    My work here is dung.
    1. Re:Dibs by Sponge+Bath · · Score: 5, Funny
      I am now trademarking... Web Pi.

      I think you are being irrational.

    2. Re:Dibs by iamlucky13 · · Score: 2, Funny

      The constant appearance of pun-chains like this one make me feel like we're going in circles.

    3. Re:Dibs by __aaclcg7560 · · Score: 3, Funny

      Sorry but "slow news day at Slashdot" has already been trademarked. Although "slow day at work" is still available if you're interested. ;)

    4. Re:Dibs by mypalmike · · Score: 2, Funny

      You shouldn't trademark pi. It's just not natural.

      --
      There are 0x40000000 types of people: those who understand 32-bit IEEE 754 floating point, and those who don't.
    5. Re:Dibs by sconeu · · Score: 3, Funny

      I think he's being a bit transcendental.

      I'm going to trademark Web aleph-null and Web aleph-one.

      --
      General Relativity: Space-time tells matter where to go; Matter tells space-time what shape to be.
    6. Re:Dibs by kfg · · Score: 2, Funny

      The other day I noticed some grafitti on an abandoned shop window:

      "God is unreal"

      I added under it:

      "No he's not. He's just irrational"

      Although I'd guess that few random people on the street will get it the way intended.

      KFG

    7. Re:Dibs by jc42 · · Score: 2, Funny

      I'm going to trademark Web aleph-null and Web aleph-one.

      Well, I'm going to trademark all the names between those.

      --
      Those who do study history are doomed to stand helplessly by while everyone else repeats it.
    8. Re:Dibs by Dan+D. · · Score: 2, Funny

      This is getting infinitely rediculous.

      --
      People who quote themselves bug the crap out of me -- Me.
  2. I have the solution by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    I am now creating Web 2.1 and releasing it under a full open creative commons license. Use it however you want.

    Web 2.0 is now deprecated.

  3. Well then... by gowen · · Score: 5, Funny

    I recommend we commence immediately on Web 3.0, which is exactly like Web 2.0, only spelt differently.

    --
    Athletic Scholarships to universities make as much sense as academic scholarships to sports teams.
    1. Re:Well then... by sharkey · · Score: 2, Funny

      You see, it's SPELLED "Web 2.0", but it's PRONOUNCED "Throat-Wobbler Mangrove".

      --

      --
      "Outlook not so good." That magic 8-ball knows everything! I'll ask about Exchange Server next.
  4. Oh yea? by rev_sanchez · · Score: 5, Funny

    My conference is going to be Web 2.1 Service Pack 1 Release Candidate 3 Build 5781 and all of those guys are going to feel quite the fool.

    --
    If you didn't come to party don't bother knocking on my door. Prince '1999'
  5. "only applies to the titles of industry events" by timeOday · · Score: 5, Funny

    I'll believe that when I see it. I know the law says trademarks are compartmentalized, but go start a landscaping business named "Microsoft" and tell me how it goes.

  6. OH RLY? by aapold · · Score: 1, Funny

    And the answer isn't YEAH RLY!

    --
    "Waste not one watt!" - CZ
    1. Re:OH RLY? by BaltikaTroika · · Score: 5, Funny
      You must be lost.

      It seems that you're looking for http://digg.com/.

  7. Dibs 2.0 by i_want_you_to_throw_ · · Score: 2, Funny

    And now I am trademarking "Web Infinity" and "Web Infinity + 1"

  8. Wonderful by Gruuk · · Score: 3, Funny

    If we can't use "Web 2.0", what alternatives can we use?

    Maybe "New Web II: Electric Boogaloo" would do the trick.

    --
    De gustibus et coloribus non est disputandum
  9. Cool by drew · · Score: 4, Funny

    While normally I'm not a big fan of trademark silliness, in this case I wholeheartedly approve. Maybe now the stupid meme will finally die.

    Now, if only we could get somebody to trademark the term "AJAX".

    --
    If I don't put anything here, will anyone recognize me anymore?
  10. Now at Borders by widget54 · · Score: 3, Funny

    "Litigation in a nutshell"

    --
    sic transit gloria mundi
  11. O'Reilly "Original Web 2.0 Asshole" Graphic by Thomas+Hawk · · Score: 3, Funny

    Get your own "Tim O'Reilly, Original Web 2.0 Asshole" graphic here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/thomashawk/153656919/ It's Creative Commons licensed and all, feel free to use it all you like!

  12. Naw, White Wolf has prior art. by geekotourist · · Score: 2, Funny
    Think White Wolf has dibs here: can't see much difference... Digital Web 2.0"
    • Bunch of geeks talking about how the magic is back? Check
    • Big crash not too long ago in the backhistory? Check
    • Now the rules have changed? Check
    • The right combination of arcane tools will bring about fame and fortune? Check
  13. It's easier for us Fortran programmers. by Richard+Steiner · · Score: 3, Funny

    God is REAL unless declared INTEGER. Simple. :-)

    --
    Mainframe/UNIX Bit Twiddler and long time Windows/Linux Hobbyist.
    The Theorem Theorem: If If, Then Then.
  14. changelog by hakr89 · · Score: 2, Funny

    Web 2 Changelog

    Version 2.0.1
    2006-05-26
    * Bumped version number to make trademark a moot point.

    Version 2.0
    2006-05-25
    * Trademark Registered by O'Reilly.