O’Reilly lawyers send C&D over ‘Web 2.0′ usage |
A term of which I’ve thought since the first time I heard it was a stupid misnomer and have derided repeatedly on this blog is now in the lawyers clutches. God save us all.
One of these events - the upcoming Web 2.0 half-day conference is the target of a cease and desist letter (below) from the legal team of O’Reilly publishers. Basically O’Reilly are claiming to have applied for a trademark for the term “Web 2.0″ and therefore IT@Cork can’t use the term for its conference. Apparantly use of the term “Web 2.0″ is a “flagrant violation” of their trademark rights!
I understand having to protect existing and pending trademarks or they go away, but … no, no, I don’t understand going after a not-for-profit organization for this type of alleged infringement. Perhaps this is legally sound, but it’s questionable otherwise. And Tim was asked to speak at this conference too? Amazing that he didn’t just tell them there was a pending trademark and ask them to use a different name when asked to speak. Bizarre.
One of the comments suggests just change the name to Web 2.1. Heck, live a little, go for 2.5.
Update 5/26/06 7:55am PST: Brady posts O’Reilly’s official response, essentially apologizing to IT @ cork and allowing them to use the service mark for the application they have pending. Doesn’t sound though like any other conferences will be able to use the term ‘web 2.0′ in their conference name. That’s the sharing spirit. Not.
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Shel Israel postulates that
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Screw the Patent, Move on to Web 4.0
From Tom Raftery’s IT Views:
“IT@Cork is a not-for-profit networking organisation for IT professionals. IT@Cork organises regular information and networking events which are free for its members.
One of these events - the upcoming Web 2.0…
Trackback by Zoli's Blog — May 25, 2006 @ 7:45 pm PST
Indeed, quite against the spirit of it all. Support the Cork lads!
Comment by Paul Watson — May 26, 2006 @ 10:35 am PST
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