Gregory P. Demetriou: Success Soup - What is the recipe?
7 Tips You Must Know Before Buying Furniture
Facebook Sues Teachbook for Using 'Book' in Its Name
Facebook filed a lawsuit against the social-networking site for teachers, claiming trademark infringement.
Posted 8/ 29 10 at 1:15 PM | News, Advertising & Marketing, Legal Issues, International Business, Online Business, Consumer Products & Services, Education, Media, Software
Text Size:
A A A
Facing continued criticism over privacy issues and the upcoming release of a movie about its controversial founding, Facebook is now coming under fire for filing a trademark infringement lawsuit against a small startup called Teachbook.Facebook's attorneys filed the case earlier this month against Teachbook, claiming that the Northbrook, Ill.-based social-networking site for teachers is only using "book" in its name to benefit from Facebook's popularity. Facebook's lawyers also argue that some people might associate Teachbook with Facebook and express concern that the word "book" might become a generic word for social-networking sites.
Teachbook's managing partner Greg Shrader denies the claim, noting that the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office had no problem with the name when he started the trademark process for Teachbook in 2009.
Even if Facebook's attorneys have a case legally, the lawsuit has become a public-relations headache already. A Time.com columnist recently speculated that because Facebook is trying to trademark the words "face" and "book," the company will soon want to trademark all nouns. "Facebook is definitely getting too big for its britches," read another commentary from MSNBC.com, And TechCrunch calls Facebook "a bully."
Getty Images
- 'Marriage Penalty' Could Make Costly Return - CNNMoney
- Oil Rises on Optimism for Cliff Deal - FOXBusiness
- Dow 2012: The Studs and Duds - InvestorPlace
- Turning the Corner: Why 2012 Wasn't as Bad as You Think - The Motley Fool
- World’s Longest High-Speed Rail Line Unveiled In China - IBTimes
- FORGET THE DEFICIT: Here's The Real Reason Liberals Want To Hike Taxes On The Rich - Business Insider
- CEOs to Fire in 2013 - 24/7 Wall St.
- DailyFinance Market Minute - DailyFinance
Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Facebook should change to F**kbook
I don't suport them any more.
I have looking around to see what folks had to say about this and people are funny. I found this article, which was pretty darn interesting:
http://hubpages.com/hub/Can-All-Companies-with-Face-or-Book-in-Name-Sue-Facebook-for-Name-Infringement
@khktradio - LOL! I was just saying the EXACT same thing to my sister.
FACE--BOOK kicked me off about 5 weeks ago! I sent 2 emails and a fax! got 1 call back saying I was being investigated! I have my time back that I used to di FB with! I had over 2000 friends on it! Thanks for my time back!
I own the letter "F," and if (F)acebook continues to use my letter, I will be forced to call my lawyers. I allow anyone to use the letter "F," Freely, for non-commercial, non-profit and educational purposes. However, I take a very dim view of corporations, who persist in using the letter "F," without my express written permission. Thank you!
Maybe the next thing Marc Zucermann will do is sue because people are using School "Books"
Too big for their britches! Chill out, FB! No, you do not own the word "book", nor do you own the word "face"! You also do not have the rights to every single combination of the two words. You're being PIGS.
I think I will close my facebook, not a big fan of them anyway. There are better things to do than sit in front of a computer and chat with people. I'd rather talk face to face. OOPS will I be sued for typing face?
THEY SHOULD CHANGE THEIR NAME TO "FACECROOK"
Face book is a worldwide disgrace. No more privacy.
maybe the will sue all the libraries for having books