5 ms·

Does Pinterest own the word "pin"?

27 points by hua 13y ago

jerf 13y ago
In my opinion, despite the protests, the logo has clear similarities to Pinterest's, and my first impression would be that it's trying to glom off of Pinterest's popularity. I am aware they aren't identical, but that's not the relevant measure. The question is, could they confuse an average person, and in my opinion, yes. It is ultimately a question of what the judge would think, but I sure wouldn't care to stand in front of a judge and make that argument.
- deleted 13y ago
  [deleted]
- SirensOfTitan 13y ago
  The only similarities between the two logos is that they both use script fonts (widely used before Pinterest), and they both use the prefix "Pin". Services like this one pop up all of the time. Little apps like this enhance the use of a site like Pinterest.
donohoe 13y ago
I think the larger question is whether people could confuse this service for one by Pinterest - and I'd say the answer is Yes. "pin" in itself isn't an issue but the logo and typography are visually similar and could lead to confusion. You also directly use Pinterest as part of this service. I say this from the perspective of someone who has received formal cease-and-desists from Facebook, Coke (http://bit.ly/17Tulqr http://bit.ly/17Tulqr) and a few others :)
saddino 13y ago
"Ownership" of a word is not the issue here. The standard for trademark infringement is based on a "confusingly similar" basis. Unfortunately there is no hard and fast rule here: it's up to a judge to decide. That final points made in the article are exactly how one would go about mounting a defense; but again, you are at the mercy of the courts here and fighting this would cost. (IMO the PinPigeon logo is indeed confusingly similar)
driverdan 13y ago
What confuses me is how Pinterest could get a trademark on the word "pin". It's a far too common word that logically could be used to represent virtual "pinning" of information.
- vampirechicken 13y ago
  Tersely, the USPTO is broken, that's how.
nullandnull 13y ago
I hope Pinterest sends a C&D to Intel... http://software.intel.com/en-us/articles/pin-a-dynamic-binary-instrumentation-tool http://software.intel.com/en-us/articles/pin-a-dynamic-binar...

27 points by hua 13y ago

jerf 13y ago

In my opinion, despite the protests, the logo has clear similarities to Pinterest's, and my first impression would be that it's trying to glom off of Pinterest's popularity. I am aware they aren't identical, but that's not the relevant measure. The question is, could they confuse an average person, and in my opinion, yes. It is ultimately a question of what the judge would think, but I sure wouldn't care to stand in front of a judge and make that argument.

deleted 13y ago
[deleted]
SirensOfTitan 13y ago
The only similarities between the two logos is that they both use script fonts (widely used before Pinterest), and they both use the prefix "Pin". Services like this one pop up all of the time. Little apps like this enhance the use of a site like Pinterest.

donohoe 13y ago

I think the larger question is whether people could confuse this service for one by Pinterest - and I'd say the answer is Yes. "pin" in itself isn't an issue but the logo and typography are visually similar and could lead to confusion. You also directly use Pinterest as part of this service. I say this from the perspective of someone who has received formal cease-and-desists from Facebook, Coke (http://bit.ly/17Tulqr http://bit.ly/17Tulqr) and a few others :)

saddino 13y ago

"Ownership" of a word is not the issue here. The standard for trademark infringement is based on a "confusingly similar" basis. Unfortunately there is no hard and fast rule here: it's up to a judge to decide. That final points made in the article are exactly how one would go about mounting a defense; but again, you are at the mercy of the courts here and fighting this would cost. (IMO the PinPigeon logo is indeed confusingly similar)

driverdan 13y ago

What confuses me is how Pinterest could get a trademark on the word "pin". It's a far too common word that logically could be used to represent virtual "pinning" of information.

vampirechicken 13y ago
Tersely, the USPTO is broken, that's how.

nullandnull 13y ago

I hope Pinterest sends a C&D to Intel... http://software.intel.com/en-us/articles/pin-a-dynamic-binary-instrumentation-tool http://software.intel.com/en-us/articles/pin-a-dynamic-binar...