3 ms·

Am I the only one here who thinks Instagram has a point here? This guy named his photo sharing app littergram which clearly is a reference to Instagram. There m

Am I the only one here who thinks Instagram has a point here? This guy named his photo sharing app littergram which clearly is a reference to Instagram. There might actually be people in the target audience of littergram or Instagram who think these apps are related. If Instagram is evil for doing something about this, I really have no idea what constitutes as good trademark protection.

pbhjpbhj 10y ago
So if I advertise my kissogram service using that word then people will think it's from Instagram? How about my hydraulics company BigRam? Suppose you think Apple are infringing Facebook by using the term face-time? Good TM protection is stopping people from using your trademark in a way that confuses the origin of goods/services of theirs as being yours. Littergram if surely a reference to sending a message (-gram) about litter. Similarly, FWIW, Instagram aren't ripping off Instapaper either in my opinion but they're a lot closer to it than the Littergram service. If Instagram wanted a more unique name they should have chosen one that wasn't the combination of a well-known prefix and suffix.
- kitd 10y ago
  I find the case a bit borderline, but I can see Instagram's point. It's not just the -gram ending context-free. Unlike kissograms, or even the Telegram app, Littergram is specifically about photo sharing, which risks confusing people into believing they and Instagram are related. TBH I think the guy has done a good job of getting publicity. He should use this opportunity to get some goodwill, and use the publcity to change the name to something close enough but not infringing. I'll offer LitterBot ;)
  - wycx 10y ago
    Litter book?
    - kagamine 10y ago
      FaceTrash - because he's trying to get people to face up to trash.
hellbanner 10y ago
Namespaces and a freaking trademark # next to your name. John Doe doesn't sue another John Doe for having the same name, why should companies?

pbhjpbhj 10y ago

So if I advertise my kissogram service using that word then people will think it's from Instagram? How about my hydraulics company BigRam? Suppose you think Apple are infringing Facebook by using the term face-time? Good TM protection is stopping people from using your trademark in a way that confuses the origin of goods/services of theirs as being yours. Littergram if surely a reference to sending a message (-gram) about litter. Similarly, FWIW, Instagram aren't ripping off Instapaper either in my opinion but they're a lot closer to it than the Littergram service. If Instagram wanted a more unique name they should have chosen one that wasn't the combination of a well-known prefix and suffix.

kitd 10y ago
I find the case a bit borderline, but I can see Instagram's point. It's not just the -gram ending context-free. Unlike kissograms, or even the Telegram app, Littergram is specifically about photo sharing, which risks confusing people into believing they and Instagram are related. TBH I think the guy has done a good job of getting publicity. He should use this opportunity to get some goodwill, and use the publcity to change the name to something close enough but not infringing. I'll offer LitterBot ;)
- wycx 10y ago
  Litter book?
  - kagamine 10y ago
    FaceTrash - because he's trying to get people to face up to trash.

hellbanner 10y ago

Namespaces and a freaking trademark # next to your name. John Doe doesn't sue another John Doe for having the same name, why should companies?