Lawyer Trademarks "Cyberlaw"

BigTimOBrien writes to mention the EFF is reporting that self-proclaimed cyberlawyer, Eric Menhart, has decided to trademark use of the term "cyberlaw" and is threatening other lawyers with legal action over the term. "I wish I could say I was surprised by this one, but such overreaching invocations of IP rights are all too common -- even where, as in this case, there are no actual "rights" to speak of. But an IP lawyer should know that courts (and trademark examiners, and many tech companies that might be potential clients) don't look kindly on efforts to abuse trademark law to control everyday language. Here's hoping Menhart figures that out fast."

Comments

I support his efforts entirely

[mccalli]

Anything to get rid of that horrible "cyber" prefix on ordinary stuff. Please make it all go away. Please.

Cheers,
Ian

Re:I support his efforts entirely

[RyuuzakiTetsuya]

Sounds like a case of cyberfatigue.

Re:I support his efforts entirely

[dbIII]

They're giving us far too much cyberlip.

Re:I support his efforts entirely

[dna_(c)(tm)(r)]

Sounds like a case of cyberfatigue.

I've decided to trademark the use of cyberfatigue, even though you clearly came up with the term. Now gimme money.

Oh, cybershut-up® this is a cyberhorrible® and cyberchildish® form of cybernagging®

Quick!

[Clueless Nick]

Somebody please trademark "Intellectual Property"! We'd certainly like to hear less of it.

Not Guilty

[mtmihai]

I don't understand why is everybody focusing on this lawyer.
The real culprit here is the idiot who approved the claim.