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So I looked at the Corel Calc image thinking that was Excel that I was looking at. I think this is the point, they look so similar that to the untrained eye, s

So I looked at the Corel Calc image thinking that was Excel that I was looking at. I think this is the point, they look so similar that to the untrained eye, someone can't tell it's not Office. This is crucial when promoting such a product making people think they are getting Office for $30. I can never quite get my head around what constitutes a patent and what constitutes copyright infringement. To me this would fall under copyright infringement. However, I do understand the patentable idea of workflow that makes the process of using a spreadsheet more efficient. This is generally as a result of research and development and as such, may be subject to what has been patented as a whole. The positioning of the elements are designed for optimal workflow which makes Office unique. Someone simply copying it without their own investment of research and development does give them an unfair competitive advantage (until they get sued and lose).

lmm 11y ago
> I can never quite get my head around what constitutes a patent and what constitutes copyright infringement. To me this would fall under copyright infringement. I think both those are the wrong thing if your concern is buyers getting confused. Trademarks are the way to address that: MS should have a distinctive, trademarked logo for Office, feature it in their advertising or the like, and aggressively pursue anyone else who uses the same logo in their products.
- martin-adams 11y ago
  Yes, you're right. Trademark is definitely designed for that. Having said that though, I know you can trademark names and designs. But with designs, I guess it's confusing what constitutes a trademark infringement or just plain old copyright infringement.
  - lmm 11y ago
    There's no rule that a particular act can't be both (though I don't think purely functional design is copyrightable).

lmm 11y ago

> I can never quite get my head around what constitutes a patent and what constitutes copyright infringement. To me this would fall under copyright infringement. I think both those are the wrong thing if your concern is buyers getting confused. Trademarks are the way to address that: MS should have a distinctive, trademarked logo for Office, feature it in their advertising or the like, and aggressively pursue anyone else who uses the same logo in their products.

martin-adams 11y ago
Yes, you're right. Trademark is definitely designed for that. Having said that though, I know you can trademark names and designs. But with designs, I guess it's confusing what constitutes a trademark infringement or just plain old copyright infringement.
- lmm 11y ago
  There's no rule that a particular act can't be both (though I don't think purely functional design is copyrightable).