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Congrats, look very good! I would hesitate with the name though. Overwatch is also a game series from Blizzard. And Blizzard is known to be a little sue-addic

Congrats, look very good! I would hesitate with the name though. Overwatch is also a game series from Blizzard. And Blizzard is known to be a little sue-addicted.

zdw 2y ago
AI tool with the same name as a game where a robot uprising is one of the main backstories seems like it could be a bit problematic...
- jrockway 2y ago
  Isn't Dota 2's anti-cheat system called Overwatch? If Blizzard didn't go after that, they aren't going to care about this.
  - floundy 2y ago
    Valve used the name Overwatch since 2013 (before Blizzard) for their player-run jury system for cheaters.
- Bisen 2y ago
  Haha! It's also an SEO nightmare. The term Overwatch is a force protection tactic, where you have one team providing extra assistance and cover to the main operation. If only we had played the game first before naming ourselves!
  - ycombinatorics 2y ago
    should have at least named it Overwatch 3 to get some SEO benefits
    - Bisen 2y ago
      Ha! Damn, missed a trick there.
  - spacebacon 2y ago
    Use case: Overwatch to track Overwatch (Blizzard) boosting, account, and cheats black market.
jacques_chester 2y ago
Trademarks are namespaced by subject matter.
- kube-system 2y ago
  Yep, Blizzard's trademarks are for: > Computer game software, [ computer game discs, ] downloadable computer game programs, computer game software downloadable from a global computer network, electronic games software for wireless devices, interactive multimedia computer game programs, mousepads, computer mouses, headsets for use with computers, computer keyboards > Printed matter, namely, [ computer game strategy guides, ] comic books, graphic novels, novels, art books, calendars, posters, [ notebooks, ] and stickers > Entertainment services, namely, providing on-line computer games; Providing computer games that are accessed via a global computer network > Clothing, and headgear, namely, caps, hats, hooded sweatshirts, jackets, sweaters, and T-shirts > Toys, games, and playthings, namely, action figures, collectible toy figures, dolls, plush toys, and vinyl toy figures https://tsdr.uspto.gov/#caseNumber=86239314&caseSearchType=US_APPLICATION&caseType=DEFAULT&searchType=statusSearch https://tsdr.uspto.gov/#caseNumber=86239314&caseSearchType=U... https://tsdr.uspto.gov/#caseNumber=86434530&caseSearchType=US_APPLICATION&caseType=DEFAULT&searchType=statusSearch https://tsdr.uspto.gov/#caseNumber=86434530&caseSearchType=U... https://tsdr.uspto.gov/#caseNumber=86239318&caseSearchType=US_APPLICATION&caseType=DEFAULT&searchType=statusSearch https://tsdr.uspto.gov/#caseNumber=86239318&caseSearchType=U... https://tsdr.uspto.gov/#caseNumber=86980853&caseSearchType=US_APPLICATION&caseType=DEFAULT&searchType=statusSearch https://tsdr.uspto.gov/#caseNumber=86980853&caseSearchType=U... A search for "overwatch" currently matches 191 registered trademarks in the US.
  - martinbaun 2y ago
    thanks Kube said it lot better than I did here. :)
    - kube-system 2y ago
      I'm saying they shouldn't be worried about being sued by Blizzard. This software is not a video game or related merchandise. Trademarks do not cover all uses of a word -- they only cover the use of a word in relation to a particular field of commerce. This is, likewise, why your grocery store can sell apples without being afraid of the equally litigious Apple Inc.
zelias 2y ago
Maybe split the difference by naming Sombra the CTO
keepamovin 2y ago
I disagree - I think the name is great. Consider Venn diagrams: the audience for these two homynymous products has small overlap. Further moderated when you consider term stickiness to respective meanings is only high for a small fraction of that audience. In other words, most people aware of both can cope with a mutual name. And some may even think it's cool. Each name enhancing the other through association and analogy. Overwatch is definitely the right choice. Consider the 'OG' meaning originates from military terminology. In this context, "overwatch" refers to a tactical position where one unit provides covering fire and surveillance for another unit as it moves forward or performs an action. The overwatch position is typically elevated or strategically placed to have a clear view of the battlefield, allowing the overwatching unit to detect threats and engage enemies to protect the advancing or exposed units. This concept ensures that the moving or vulnerable unit can operate with reduced risk, as the overwatching unit can neutralize potential dangers and provide critical information about the surroundings. The practice of overwatch is a fundamental tactic in military operations, emphasizing teamwork, communication, and strategic positioning.
- bogtog 2y ago
  I’m not sure if you are familiar with Overwatch the game, but it is a very famous massive game. My gut is that a majority (if not a huge majority) of people in tech aged 20-40 will be familiar with Overwatch, the game. This will just make following a conversation about the product unnecessarily difficult. The existing mental and SEO associations are radically strong, regardless of theoretical reasons for why “Overwatch” is a good name for the present product
  - keepamovin 2y ago
    I guess to put it in programming-speak which you might find a bit easier: these two names are 'out of scope' of each other - hahaha! :) I don't think of what you call the 'theoretical' aspects as being purely theoretical, I think they're practical and conceptually associative and have provided a great name. I do know of the game (but I haven't played it haha!), but I don't think it's a problem. I understand that you do. We'll see! Hahaha! :) I'm no expert in SEO but it seems like it could go both ways and even boost it. For people's mental aspect, think the recall of this term will be boosted by there also being a famous game, and I don't think people will be confused by these two different categories. What makes you think they will? What other examples have you seen where this happens?
marcus0x62 2y ago
It is also, and more to the point of being a real trademark issue, the name of a managed threat hunting service from Crowdstrike.
technick 2y ago
Doesn't the government have a program named overwatch as well? Something in the air force cyber transport division...

Congrats, look very good! I would hesitate with the name though. Overwatch is also a game series from Blizzard. And Blizzard is known to be a little sue-addicted.

zdw 2y ago

AI tool with the same name as a game where a robot uprising is one of the main backstories seems like it could be a bit problematic...

jrockway 2y ago
Isn't Dota 2's anti-cheat system called Overwatch? If Blizzard didn't go after that, they aren't going to care about this.
- floundy 2y ago
  Valve used the name Overwatch since 2013 (before Blizzard) for their player-run jury system for cheaters.
Bisen 2y ago
Haha! It's also an SEO nightmare. The term Overwatch is a force protection tactic, where you have one team providing extra assistance and cover to the main operation. If only we had played the game first before naming ourselves!
- ycombinatorics 2y ago
  should have at least named it Overwatch 3 to get some SEO benefits
  - Bisen 2y ago
    Ha! Damn, missed a trick there.
- spacebacon 2y ago
  Use case: Overwatch to track Overwatch (Blizzard) boosting, account, and cheats black market.

jacques_chester 2y ago

Trademarks are namespaced by subject matter.

kube-system 2y ago
Yep, Blizzard's trademarks are for: > Computer game software, [ computer game discs, ] downloadable computer game programs, computer game software downloadable from a global computer network, electronic games software for wireless devices, interactive multimedia computer game programs, mousepads, computer mouses, headsets for use with computers, computer keyboards > Printed matter, namely, [ computer game strategy guides, ] comic books, graphic novels, novels, art books, calendars, posters, [ notebooks, ] and stickers > Entertainment services, namely, providing on-line computer games; Providing computer games that are accessed via a global computer network > Clothing, and headgear, namely, caps, hats, hooded sweatshirts, jackets, sweaters, and T-shirts > Toys, games, and playthings, namely, action figures, collectible toy figures, dolls, plush toys, and vinyl toy figures https://tsdr.uspto.gov/#caseNumber=86239314&caseSearchType=US_APPLICATION&caseType=DEFAULT&searchType=statusSearch https://tsdr.uspto.gov/#caseNumber=86239314&caseSearchType=U... https://tsdr.uspto.gov/#caseNumber=86434530&caseSearchType=US_APPLICATION&caseType=DEFAULT&searchType=statusSearch https://tsdr.uspto.gov/#caseNumber=86434530&caseSearchType=U... https://tsdr.uspto.gov/#caseNumber=86239318&caseSearchType=US_APPLICATION&caseType=DEFAULT&searchType=statusSearch https://tsdr.uspto.gov/#caseNumber=86239318&caseSearchType=U... https://tsdr.uspto.gov/#caseNumber=86980853&caseSearchType=US_APPLICATION&caseType=DEFAULT&searchType=statusSearch https://tsdr.uspto.gov/#caseNumber=86980853&caseSearchType=U... A search for "overwatch" currently matches 191 registered trademarks in the US.
- martinbaun 2y ago
  thanks Kube said it lot better than I did here. :)
  - kube-system 2y ago
    I'm saying they shouldn't be worried about being sued by Blizzard. This software is not a video game or related merchandise. Trademarks do not cover all uses of a word -- they only cover the use of a word in relation to a particular field of commerce. This is, likewise, why your grocery store can sell apples without being afraid of the equally litigious Apple Inc.

zelias 2y ago

Maybe split the difference by naming Sombra the CTO

keepamovin 2y ago

I disagree - I think the name is great. Consider Venn diagrams: the audience for these two homynymous products has small overlap. Further moderated when you consider term stickiness to respective meanings is only high for a small fraction of that audience. In other words, most people aware of both can cope with a mutual name. And some may even think it's cool. Each name enhancing the other through association and analogy. Overwatch is definitely the right choice. Consider the 'OG' meaning originates from military terminology. In this context, "overwatch" refers to a tactical position where one unit provides covering fire and surveillance for another unit as it moves forward or performs an action. The overwatch position is typically elevated or strategically placed to have a clear view of the battlefield, allowing the overwatching unit to detect threats and engage enemies to protect the advancing or exposed units. This concept ensures that the moving or vulnerable unit can operate with reduced risk, as the overwatching unit can neutralize potential dangers and provide critical information about the surroundings. The practice of overwatch is a fundamental tactic in military operations, emphasizing teamwork, communication, and strategic positioning.

bogtog 2y ago
I’m not sure if you are familiar with Overwatch the game, but it is a very famous massive game. My gut is that a majority (if not a huge majority) of people in tech aged 20-40 will be familiar with Overwatch, the game. This will just make following a conversation about the product unnecessarily difficult. The existing mental and SEO associations are radically strong, regardless of theoretical reasons for why “Overwatch” is a good name for the present product
- keepamovin 2y ago
  I guess to put it in programming-speak which you might find a bit easier: these two names are 'out of scope' of each other - hahaha! :) I don't think of what you call the 'theoretical' aspects as being purely theoretical, I think they're practical and conceptually associative and have provided a great name. I do know of the game (but I haven't played it haha!), but I don't think it's a problem. I understand that you do. We'll see! Hahaha! :) I'm no expert in SEO but it seems like it could go both ways and even boost it. For people's mental aspect, think the recall of this term will be boosted by there also being a famous game, and I don't think people will be confused by these two different categories. What makes you think they will? What other examples have you seen where this happens?

marcus0x62 2y ago

It is also, and more to the point of being a real trademark issue, the name of a managed threat hunting service from Crowdstrike.

technick 2y ago

Doesn't the government have a program named overwatch as well? Something in the air force cyber transport division...