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Dell Loses Bid To Trademark "Cloud Computing"

Posted by kdawson on from the answer-cloudy-try-again-later dept.

1sockchuck writes "The USPTO has issued a 'non-final determination' refusing Dell's request to trademark the term 'cloud computing' (we discussed the application earlier), finding that the term is generic and 'therefore incapable of functioning as a source-identifier for applicant's services.' According to Data Center Knowledge, 'Dell has the option of filing a response to submit arguments to dispute the USPTO examiner's findings.'" Here is the USPTO's ruling. A week and a half ago the PTO cancelled its 'notice of allowance' for the mark, a move little remarked upon at the time.

5 of 146 comments (clear)

  1. Re:too bad by Koiu+Lpoi · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Sorry if I'm "out of the loop", but what exactly IS "cloud computing"? I keep hearing this term to describe several (seemingly) unrelated projects, and I'd like it if somebody could break it down, or if that's impossible, just say "it's the latest buzzword, and means about as much in the real world as 'synergy'".

  2. Re:too bad by Koiu+Lpoi · · Score: 2, Interesting

    That's true, why is it that only journalists have held steadfastly on to the pun, while everyone else has let it die (except the Japanese)? Maybe I don't talk to enough newspaper-reading folks, but I find it detracts from my interest in the story when I find the title was an awful pun instead of an actual description of the news.

  3. Re:Slashdot Poll by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Interesting

    e)Internet

    We already have it and it describes the same thing as this "new?" cloud computing initiative. No one has ever networked a bunch of resources together before and made them available...

  4. I can confirm this as well by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Interesting

    I live in Illinois and several friends have been threatened by Monsanto over their crops having illegal plants. They tell us that if we buy Monsanto's seed we won't have to worry about being sued, but if we don't, "something could happen, these plants can spread, and you won't be legal". They make it sound like the burden is on the farmers to ensure their crops don't "infringe" rather than Monsanto making sure their modified product can't spread.

    Posting anonymously because I don't care to be sued.

    1. Re:I can confirm this as well by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Interesting

      If the wind blows a seed on your property and their crops begin to grow on your property, then sue them for littering, trespassing, etc since you did not authorize it. It's almost as if I had a stack of paper napkins just sitting on a picnic table, then all of a sudden a big gust of wind blows them away and blows them into the street, neighbors yards etc. Since the napkins belong to me, I could be fined for littering if I do not clean them up.