Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Dell Tries To Trademark "Cloud Computing"

Posted by kdawson on from the head-in-the-clouds-or-perhaps-some-other-orifice dept.

Ian Lamont writes "The Industry Standard reports that Dell is trying to trademark the term cloud computing . The phrase entered the tech lexicon years ago, but Dell's application (serial number 77139082) was made in early 2007 to the US Patent and Trademark Office, apparently in connection with data center products and services that it was promoting around that time. A quick search of Google News indicates that Dell itself did not use the term in press releases or discussions with indexed English-language media sources from 1996 to 2006. Dell is not the first company to attempt to trademark this term: The Standard notes that NetCentric, a company that provided 'carrier-class Internet fax technology,' also gave it a shot in the late 1990s, but was rejected."

13 of 130 comments (clear)

  1. Michael Dell doesn't know... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    the difference between the Meta-Grid and the Hyper-Net!

    -Anonymous Howard

  2. Not only sneaky morals, but... by Futurepower(R) · · Score: 4, Funny

    Cloudy thinking by Dell.

    1. Re:Not only sneaky morals, but... by Ihmhi · · Score: 3, Funny

      Their heads are not that high. Think about 3 feet off of the ground and behind them.

      --
      Random Thoughts From A Diseased Mind (Not For Dummies)
  3. I have a great idea for a new patent! by NoobixCube · · Score: 3, Funny

    A device for generating heat based on the constricted flow of subatomic particles through metallic pathways, embedded in a fabric base for easy folding and heat distribution! I call it an "electric blanket" :)

    --
    Admit it. You post strawman arguments as AC so you get modded Insightful for refuting them, rather than Troll
  4. wtf?? by CranberryKing · · Score: 2, Funny

    ..like Al Gore did in creating the internet.

    Wait, I thought AOL created the Internet.

    1. Re:wtf?? by MrMage · · Score: 3, Funny

      If Al Gore or AOL created the internet, then why does every internet address begin with www? Bush clearly left his mark on the tubes.

  5. the thing I find most objectionable about this by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    is Dell's new TV ad where "Steve" bounces up and down on his bed with an air guitar singing,

    Hey! (hey)
    Dude! (dude)
    Get Off-a Mah Cloud

  6. Re:New coin term: trademark troll by damn_registrars · · Score: 2, Funny

    Be careful where you use that term, or someone could trademark it and sue you for infringement.

    --
    Damn_registrars has no butt-hole. Damn_registrars has no use for a butt-hole.
  7. Fired by johndmartiniii · · Score: 2, Funny

    Didn't some asshole try to trademark "You're fired" a few years ago. Sheesh.

    --
    If you don't know what you're doing, you can't make mistakes.
  8. Re:Who else is using it? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    well, if Dell manages to trademark "Cloud Computing(TM)", then we could use other terms such as condensed-vapor-in-the-atmosphere computing or smoke computing like the symbol usually used for the cloud in the diagram. Do they sound trustworth enough?

  9. Why "cloud computing", just isn't that... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

    ...special, brings up images of warm spring days and cute fluffy bunny rabbits and various chick flick scenes and [voice="George Carlin"] BULLLLLL SHIT! Get that "sensitive" guy out of the damn room! Who wants a "cloud" computer, give me a category 10 hurricane computer with some richtor 25 earthquake RAM! And Krakatoa I/O!

  10. Great!!! by Dynedain · · Score: 2, Funny

    Now could someone please trademark Web 2.0 so we won't have to hear that stupid buzzword either?

    --
    I'm out of my mind right now, but feel free to leave a message.....
  11. Re:Ah Ha! First Post! by TeknoHog · · Score: 2, Funny

    What about just 'cloud'? Can can trademark the sky!

    I'm afraid Can can is already trademarked.

    --
    Escher was the first MC and Giger invented the HR department.