4 ms·

And now we see that this isn't just a problem with software. Who knew? e: Apparently everyone thinks I'm confusing a trademark with a copyright or a patent, b

And now we see that this isn't just a problem with software. Who knew? e: Apparently everyone thinks I'm confusing a trademark with a copyright or a patent, but I'm not. We just got done with several weeks of people screaming their heads off about King's attempt to trademark the word "Candy". In this thread, everyone is defending Fluke because this yellow outline is a distinguishing mark on their product, and these multimeters DO look like ripoffs. And you know what, I agree. But how is this any different from what everyone was up at arms about only a few weeks ago?

colanderman 13y ago
Exactly what software trademarks are you talking about? Linux™? Adobe™ Photoshop™?
- stackcollision 13y ago
  Didn't we just get over 3 weeks of people screaming about King's trademark attempt on "Candy"?
  - chc 13y ago
    Because that trademark is overly broad, and thanks to that fact was being used to bully creators of small, non-confusing products. The fact that people are opposed to overly broad trademarks employed for anticompetitive purposes is hardly shocking. That doesn't mean people view trademarks as a general "problem."
viggity 13y ago
this is a trademark issue, not a patent issue, although both are handled by USPTO
rtkwe 13y ago
This is trademark not patent or copyright.
rayiner 13y ago
The reason people view trademarks as less problematic is: 1) They are arbitrary and not functional. It doesn't make a difference to the multimeter whether it's yellow or red. 2) Silicon Valley has an existential interest in the $500+ billion advertising industry, which is built on trademarks and branding.
- MichaelGG 13y ago
  3) Trademarks benefit the end-users in a very direct manner. If I buy a specific brand that's labelled then I can feel fairly confident it is the correct product. (Unless the company has changed quality on the same branded product, like Pyrex or Thinkpad.)

colanderman 13y ago

Exactly what software trademarks are you talking about? Linux™? Adobe™ Photoshop™?

stackcollision 13y ago
Didn't we just get over 3 weeks of people screaming about King's trademark attempt on "Candy"?
- chc 13y ago
  Because that trademark is overly broad, and thanks to that fact was being used to bully creators of small, non-confusing products. The fact that people are opposed to overly broad trademarks employed for anticompetitive purposes is hardly shocking. That doesn't mean people view trademarks as a general "problem."

viggity 13y ago

this is a trademark issue, not a patent issue, although both are handled by USPTO

rtkwe 13y ago

This is trademark not patent or copyright.

rayiner 13y ago

The reason people view trademarks as less problematic is: 1) They are arbitrary and not functional. It doesn't make a difference to the multimeter whether it's yellow or red. 2) Silicon Valley has an existential interest in the $500+ billion advertising industry, which is built on trademarks and branding.

MichaelGG 13y ago
3) Trademarks benefit the end-users in a very direct manner. If I buy a specific brand that's labelled then I can feel fairly confident it is the correct product. (Unless the company has changed quality on the same branded product, like Pyrex or Thinkpad.)