Facebook using Monster Cable's strategy: Sue over a generic word - GoFuckYourself.com

Amputate Your Head · 08-26-2010, 01:48 PM

Facebook sues start-up for using 'book' in name - Aug 2010

NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- Facebook is suing start-up site Teachbook.com for using the word "book" in its name, according to court documents. The complaint, filed in a California district court last Wednesday, alleges that Teachbook is "rid[ing] on the coattails of the fame and enormous goodwill of the Facebook trademark," said the document obtained by Wired.com.

Facebook, based in Palo Alto, accuses Teachbook of a slew of crimes including federal trademark dilution, trademark infringement and unfair competition. "We think the complaint speaks for itself," said Michael Rhodes, an attorney representing Facebook.

While Facebook doesn't claim to own rights to the word "book," it argues "if others could freely use 'generic plus BOOK' marks for online social networking services .... that would dilute the distinctiveness of the Facebook marks."

This isn't the first time Facebook has gone after small sites over the -book suffix. The travel site TripTrace -- once called PlaceBook -- detailed in a post how the social networking behemoth forced it to change its name. "We didn't believe anyone could own the word 'book' apart from 'face,'" reads a post on TripTrace's company blog. "We knew of a number of websites that had similar names that were clearly not copying Facebook: Cookbook, Blackbook, eBook, RunBook ... Racebook, Casebook, Tastebook." But the site acquiesced to Facebook because, "as a start-up we were in no position to fight."

LINK

One more reason to hate facebook. They are money grubbing, corporate jack-booted thug lunatics.

Scott McD · 08-26-2010, 01:51 PM

I have 9983468767 reasons for hating Facebook.

I don't have an account, and will never have an account. My girlfriend and most my friends seem to spend all damn day on it talking endless pointless shit.

Never mind the tubes, the internet got 100x worse when 'social networking' became the "big" thing...

ottopottomouse · 08-26-2010, 01:52 PM

So this is why AllergicToWatermelon is selling all his Tube domains - before YouTube tries the same with all the tube sites.

Tom_PM · 08-26-2010, 01:53 PM

Well they should get on the stick and buy up every domain+book they can find. Lazy.

seeandsee · 08-26-2010, 01:53 PM

fuck you FACEBOOK, go fuck your self and your stupid trademarks, fuck you, i deleted acc, eat that Zurgberker

$5 submissions · 08-26-2010, 01:54 PM

Troubling It's one thing to sue over a mark/logo that is confusingly similar. But a generic word? Legal bullying much?

Amputate Your Head · 08-26-2010, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by $5 submissions

Troubling It's one thing to sue over a mark/logo that is confusingly similar. But a generic word? Legal bullying much?

yep.... same as how MC sues anyone with the word monster in their name, regardless of what type of business it is. Most simply bend to their will because they can't fight a "monster" like MC.

Fat Panda · 08-26-2010, 01:58 PM

facebook will soon die off

Theo · 08-26-2010, 01:58 PM

im surprised they haven't sued yet all those facebook of sex sites

Amputate Your Head · 08-26-2010, 02:00 PM

I guess we know how they intend to make a profit. No need for user fees.

Scott McD · 08-26-2010, 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SAC

facebook will soon die off

Joke ???

Quagmire · 08-26-2010, 02:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scott McD

Joke ???

I lean more towards blissful ignorance.

fatfoo · 08-26-2010, 02:07 PM

I think the word "book" can be used as part of a two-word phrase that is not identical.

woj · 08-26-2010, 02:09 PM

sounds ridiculous, but they are actually kinda riding on the success of facebook... before facebook, there weren't any social networking sites named ____book, or can you name some?

whether that is breaking trademark law is debatable, but the fact is that the site was named "teach book" mainly because of facebook's success..

Amputate Your Head · 08-26-2010, 02:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fatfoo

I think the word "book" can be used as part of a two-word phrase that is not identical.

Facebook's lawyers disagree.

why am I talking to a bot?

Amputate Your Head · 08-26-2010, 02:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by woj

sounds ridiculous, but they are actually kinda riding on the success of facebook... before facebook, there weren't any social networking sites named ____book, or can you name some?

whether that is breaking trademark law is debatable, but the fact is that the site was named "teach book" mainly because of facebook's success..

but another fact is that there were word combinations containing the word book long before Facebook existed. i.e. cookbook, blackbook, phonebook, ebook, audiobook, etc.... combining "book" with another word is not Facebook's invention. They are acting as though it was:

Quote:

[Facebook] argues "if others could freely use 'generic plus BOOK' marks .... that would dilute the distinctiveness of the Facebook marks."

as they have sued others with businesses completely unrelated to social networking.

DateDoc · 08-26-2010, 02:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amputate Your Head

yep.... same as how MC sues anyone with the word monster in their name, regardless of what type of business it is. Most simply bend to their will because they can't fight a "monster" like MC.

Monster Cable hasn't made Monster Energy Drinks change their name. But Monster Energy Drinks did go after Rock Art Brewery for their Vermonster Beer. There was a huge public outcry and Monster finally backed down.

slavdogg · 08-26-2010, 02:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by woj

sounds ridiculous, but they are actually kinda riding on the success of facebook... before facebook, there weren't any social networking sites named ____book, or can you name some?

whether that is breaking trademark law is debatable, but the fact is that the site was named "teach book" mainly because of facebook's success..

myRedBook.com predates facebook by 2 years.

Ravage · 08-26-2010, 02:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amputate Your Head

but another fact is that there were word combinations containing the word book long before Facebook existed. i.e. cookbook, blackbook, phonebook, ebook, audiobook, etc.... combining "book" with another word is not Facebook's invention. They are acting as though it was:

as they have sued others with businesses completely unrelated to social networking.

They're not suing sites solely on the use of the word 'book' in a URL, but on the way it is used. For instance, "teachbook" is a social community website for teachers and is using the word 'book' in their name. Where did they come up with the idea to use 'book' from? Why not Teachersunite or Teachercommunity, etc etc.

Think about it, before Facebook who would have thought about using 'book' in their URL for a social site? Before Facebook, it was Myspace, so Teacherspace, etc.

Facebook has a point. I'm not sure how this will fly in the courts, but I can see the where they're coming from on this.

DateDoc · 08-26-2010, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adult Rental Chris

They're not suing sites solely on the use of the word 'book' in a URL, but on the way it is used. For instance, "teachbook" is a social community website for teachers and is using the word 'book' in their name. Where did they come up with the idea to use 'book' from? Why not Teachersunite or Teachercommunity, etc etc.

Think about it, before Facebook who would have thought about using 'book' in their URL for a social site? Before Facebook, it was Myspace, so Teacherspace, etc.

Facebook has a point. I'm not sure how this will fly in the courts, but I can see the where they're coming from on this.

They would not win in the courts but they do not want to take it to court. They hope teachbook does not have enough money to defend themselves.

Amputate Your Head · 08-26-2010, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adult Rental Chris

They're not suing sites solely on the use of the word 'book' in a URL, but on the way it is used. For instance, "teachbook" is a social community website for teachers and is using the word 'book' in their name. Where did they come up with the idea to use 'book' from? Why not Teachersunite or Teachercommunity, etc etc.

Think about it, before Facebook who would have thought about using 'book' in their URL for a social site? Before Facebook, it was Myspace, so Teacherspace, etc.

Facebook has a point. I'm not sure how this will fly in the courts, but I can see the where they're coming from on this.

Facebook only has a point in regards to other social networking businesses, and must defend it even in that realm. Outside of that realm, they have no jurisdiction over the use of the word book in any way. But they will probably continue to flex their muscle because many small businesses just don't have the resources to go to court against something like Facebook with virtually unlimited legal funding.

Basically, who cares if some random company was inspired by the Facebook use of the word "book". TeachBook is in trouble because they are (were) mimicking the very thing that IS Facebook.... but suing companies that have nothing to do with social networking in any way is just plain vicious & greedy. Companies like Monster Cable, strong-arming Monster Mini Golf over the use of the word "monster" in their name.... and companies like Facebook strong-arming a travel agent.

Allison · 08-26-2010, 02:41 PM

I wonder what their take is on fuckbook and sexbook then.

Nicky · 08-26-2010, 02:42 PM

I will laugh at them if they try to sue me for FaceBitch.com lol

DateDoc · 08-26-2010, 02:44 PM

So PornHub can sue all other adult sites using the word hub? Will redtube take on all the other adult tube sites?

PornMD · 08-26-2010, 02:45 PM

People making a huge deal about this don't realize that Apple (for pod), MySpace (for space) and many other companies have done this very thing in the past. Facebook's not doing something out of the ordinary, and as long as huge corporations are catered to by laws and government, they'll keep doing it and bullying people out of their names.

roly · 08-26-2010, 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ottopottomouse

So this is why AllergicToWatermelon is selling all his Tube domains - before YouTube tries the same with all the tube sites.

maybe someone should mention it to youtube

Amputate Your Head · 08-26-2010, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by roly

maybe someone should mention it to youtube

This sort of thing would violate Goog's Manifesto: Don't Be Evil.

CyberHustler · 08-26-2010, 03:01 PM

You guys can hate facebook all you want, but facebook + cpa = success.

u-Bob · 08-26-2010, 03:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amputate Your Head

One more reason to hate facebook. They are money grubbing, corporate jack-booted thug lunatics.

q f t

icymelon · 08-26-2010, 03:08 PM

hopefully google doesnt start going after tube

Lonny · 08-26-2010, 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by woj

sounds ridiculous, but they are actually kinda riding on the success of facebook... before facebook, there weren't any social networking sites named ____book, or can you name some?

whether that is breaking trademark law is debatable, but the fact is that the site was named "teach book" mainly because of facebook's success..

http://www.myyearbook.com/ comes to mind and i belove they been around a year or 2 longer.so myyearbook should be suing them if anything.

Helix · 08-26-2010, 05:49 PM

buttnovel.com is available

garce · 08-26-2010, 05:55 PM

I thought if you sued somebody and lost, you were responsible for their legal fees.

I've been wrong before (today, even).

Amputate Your Head · 08-26-2010, 06:01 PM

Jack Booted Thugs

The Man has his filthy boot on your neck once again, in the form of a snot-nosed kid named Zuckerberg.

The peoples need to
Rise up!

Reject this oppression, mafia tactics, legal titty-twisting and general mayhem!

Caligari · 08-26-2010, 06:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amputate Your Head

Spocks gettin titty twisted by Tiberious

Semi-Retired-Dave · 08-26-2010, 08:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amputate Your Head

Facebook sues start-up for using 'book' in name - Aug 2010

NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- Facebook is suing start-up site Teachbook.com for using the word "book" in its name, according to court documents. The complaint, filed in a California district court last Wednesday, alleges that Teachbook is "rid[ing] on the coattails of the fame and enormous goodwill of the Facebook trademark," said the document obtained by Wired.com.

Facebook, based in Palo Alto, accuses Teachbook of a slew of crimes including federal trademark dilution, trademark infringement and unfair competition. "We think the complaint speaks for itself," said Michael Rhodes, an attorney representing Facebook.

While Facebook doesn't claim to own rights to the word "book," it argues "if others could freely use 'generic plus BOOK' marks for online social networking services .... that would dilute the distinctiveness of the Facebook marks."

This isn't the first time Facebook has gone after small sites over the -book suffix. The travel site TripTrace -- once called PlaceBook -- detailed in a post how the social networking behemoth forced it to change its name. "We didn't believe anyone could own the word 'book' apart from 'face,'" reads a post on TripTrace's company blog. "We knew of a number of websites that had similar names that were clearly not copying Facebook: Cookbook, Blackbook, eBook, RunBook ... Racebook, Casebook, Tastebook." But the site acquiesced to Facebook because, "as a start-up we were in no position to fight."

LINK

One more reason to hate facebook. They are money grubbing, corporate jack-booted thug lunatics.

Sad thing is, the site is for Teachers.

bronco67 · 08-26-2010, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scott McD

I have 9983468767 reasons for hating Facebook.

I don't have an account, and will never have an account. My girlfriend and most my friends seem to spend all damn day on it talking endless pointless shit.

Never mind the tubes, the internet got 100x worse when 'social networking' became the "big" thing...

Sometimes while watching some TV, I can see my wife on the computer, logged into Facebook. I ask her how she can spend 3 hours looking at pictures of her friend's neighbor's sister's third cousin's baby. It's fucking ridiculous.

Screwed Up · 08-26-2010, 11:13 PM

They prefer to sue teachbook instead of fuckbook and sexbook??

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scott McD

...Never mind the tubes, the internet got 100x worse when 'social networking' became the "big" thing...

Amen.

08-26-2010, 01:48 PM	#1
Amputate Your Head There can be only one Industry Role: Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Somewhere else Posts: 39,075	Facebook using Monster Cable's strategy: Sue over a generic word Facebook sues start-up for using 'book' in name - Aug 2010 NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- Facebook is suing start-up site Teachbook.com for using the word "book" in its name, according to court documents. The complaint, filed in a California district court last Wednesday, alleges that Teachbook is "rid[ing] on the coattails of the fame and enormous goodwill of the Facebook trademark," said the document obtained by Wired.com. Facebook, based in Palo Alto, accuses Teachbook of a slew of crimes including federal trademark dilution, trademark infringement and unfair competition. "We think the complaint speaks for itself," said Michael Rhodes, an attorney representing Facebook. While Facebook doesn't claim to own rights to the word "book," it argues "if others could freely use 'generic plus BOOK' marks for online social networking services .... that would dilute the distinctiveness of the Facebook marks." This isn't the first time Facebook has gone after small sites over the -book suffix. The travel site TripTrace -- once called PlaceBook -- detailed in a post how the social networking behemoth forced it to change its name. "We didn't believe anyone could own the word 'book' apart from 'face,'" reads a post on TripTrace's company blog. "We knew of a number of websites that had similar names that were clearly not copying Facebook: Cookbook, Blackbook, eBook, RunBook ... Racebook, Casebook, Tastebook." But the site acquiesced to Facebook because, "as a start-up we were in no position to fight." LINK One more reason to hate facebook. They are money grubbing, corporate jack-booted thug lunatics. __________________ SIG TOO BIG

08-26-2010, 01:51 PM	#2
Scott McD Too lazy to set a custom title Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Glasgow, Scotland Posts: 67,795	I have 9983468767 reasons for hating Facebook. I don't have an account, and will never have an account. My girlfriend and most my friends seem to spend all damn day on it talking endless pointless shit. Never mind the tubes, the internet got 100x worse when 'social networking' became the "big" thing... __________________ I Buy My High Quality Traffic Here, You Should Too!

08-26-2010, 01:52 PM	#3
ottopottomouse She is ugly, bad luck. Industry Role: Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 13,177	So this is why AllergicToWatermelon is selling all his Tube domains - before YouTube tries the same with all the tube sites. __________________ ↑ see post ↑ 13101

08-26-2010, 01:53 PM	#4
Tom_PM Porn Meister Industry Role: Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 16,443	Well they should get on the stick and buy up every domain+book they can find. Lazy. __________________ 43-922-863 Shut up and play your guitar. Last edited by Tom_PM; 08-26-2010 at 01:54 PM..

08-26-2010, 01:53 PM	#5
seeandsee Check SIG! Industry Role: Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Europe (Skype: gojkoas) Posts: 50,945	fuck you FACEBOOK, go fuck your self and your stupid trademarks, fuck you, i deleted acc, eat that Zurgberker __________________ BUY MY SIG - 50$/Year Contact here

08-26-2010, 01:54 PM	#6
$5 submissions I help you SUCCEED Industry Role: Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: The Pearl of the Orient Seas Posts: 32,195	Troubling It's one thing to sue over a mark/logo that is confusingly similar. But a generic word? Legal bullying much? __________________ Need a NON-ADULT income stream? We build your YOUTUBE CHANNEL for only $20 per video! For Hire: $3/hour or $400 per month Marketing Specialist Virtual Assistants

08-26-2010, 01:58 PM	#8
Fat Panda Porn is Dead. Move along. Industry Role: Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 13,295	facebook will soon die off

08-26-2010, 01:58 PM	#9
Theo HAL 9000 Industry Role: Join Date: May 2001 Posts: 34,524	im surprised they haven't sued yet all those facebook of sex sites

08-26-2010, 02:00 PM	#10
Amputate Your Head There can be only one Industry Role: Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Somewhere else Posts: 39,075	I guess we know how they intend to make a profit. No need for user fees. __________________ SIG TOO BIG

08-26-2010, 02:07 PM	#13
fatfoo ICQ:649699063 Industry Role: Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 27,763	I think the word "book" can be used as part of a two-word phrase that is not identical. __________________ Send me an email: [email protected]

08-26-2010, 02:09 PM	#14
woj <&(©¿©)&> Industry Role: Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Chicago Posts: 47,882	sounds ridiculous, but they are actually kinda riding on the success of facebook... before facebook, there weren't any social networking sites named ____book, or can you name some? whether that is breaking trademark law is debatable, but the fact is that the site was named "teach book" mainly because of facebook's success.. __________________ Custom Software Development, email: woj#at#wojfun#.#com to discuss details or skype: wojl2000 or gchat: wojfun or telegram: wojl2000 Affiliate program tools: Hosted Galleries Manager Banner Manager Video Manager Wordpress Affiliate Plugin Pic/Movie of the Day Fansign Generator Zip Manager

08-26-2010, 02:41 PM	#22
Allison Confirmed User Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: http://www.topbucks.com Posts: 2,068	I wonder what their take is on fuckbook and sexbook then. __________________ Allison President TopBucks.com\| PinkVisual.com\| [email protected] Follow Me on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/PV_Alli ICQ: 120353154 Check out PVLocker.com

08-26-2010, 02:42 PM	#23
Nicky Judge Jury and Executioner Industry Role: Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Sweden Posts: 30,069	I will laugh at them if they try to sue me for FaceBitch.com lol __________________ gfynicky @ gmail.com

08-26-2010, 02:44 PM	#24
DateDoc Outside looking in. Industry Role: Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: To Hell You Ride Posts: 14,243	So PornHub can sue all other adult sites using the word hub? Will redtube take on all the other adult tube sites? __________________

08-26-2010, 02:45 PM	#25
PornMD Mainstream Businessman Industry Role: Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: San Diego Posts: 9,291	People making a huge deal about this don't realize that Apple (for pod), MySpace (for space) and many other companies have done this very thing in the past. Facebook's not doing something out of the ordinary, and as long as huge corporations are catered to by laws and government, they'll keep doing it and bullying people out of their names. __________________ Want to crush it in mainstream with Facebook ads? Hit me up.

08-26-2010, 03:01 PM	#28
CyberHustler So Fucking Banned Industry Role: Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 25,214	You guys can hate facebook all you want, but facebook + cpa = success.

08-26-2010, 03:08 PM	#30
icymelon Confirmed User Industry Role: Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 3,220	hopefully google doesnt start going after tube __________________ Network Of Adult Blogs With Hardlink Rentals Available

08-26-2010, 05:49 PM	#32
Helix Confirmed User Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Michigan Posts: 5,940	buttnovel.com is available __________________ Free jscott !!! Free OneHungLo !!! Free Baddog !!!

08-26-2010, 05:55 PM	#33
garce Confirmed User Industry Role: Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Toronto Posts: 7,103	I thought if you sued somebody and lost, you were responsible for their legal fees. I've been wrong before (today, even).

08-26-2010, 06:01 PM	#34
Amputate Your Head There can be only one Industry Role: Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Somewhere else Posts: 39,075	Jack Booted Thugs The Man has his filthy boot on your neck once again, in the form of a snot-nosed kid named Zuckerberg. The peoples need to Rise up! Reject this oppression, mafia tactics, legal titty-twisting and general mayhem! __________________ SIG TOO BIG