Facebook Moves to Trademark the word “Book”

In an effort to completely dominate the social networking space Facebook has moved to assert it’s ownership over the word ‘book’ based on its latest user terms of agreement.

Via ars technica:

You may recall that Facebook has launched multiple lawsuits against websites incorporating the word “book” into their names. Facebook, as far as we can tell, doesn’t have a registered trademark on “book.” But trademark rights can be asserted based on use of a term, even if the trademark isn’t registered, and adding the claim to Facebook’s user agreement could boost the company’s standing in future lawsuits filed against sites that use the word.

“Unregistered marks are quite common in the US,” University of Minnesota Law Professor William McGeveran told Ars. “Rights arise from use, not registration (though registration does give you some other advantages). That’s how Facebook can try to claim ‘book.’” If you see a ™ next to a name, that indicates an unregistered, claimed trademark, whereas an R in a circle signifies a registered one, McGeveran notes.

So, what exactly is Facebook changing? If you view the current Statement of Rights and Responsibilities, you’ll find this sentence:

“You will not use our copyrights or trademarks (including Facebook, the Facebook and F Logos, FB, Face, Poke, Wall and 32665), or any confusingly similar marks, without our written permission.”

If you’re wondering, 32665 is the number allowing Facebook users to update their pages through text message. The newly revised user agreement reads as follows (emphasis ours):

“You will not use our copyrights or trademarks (including Facebook, the Facebook and F Logos, FB, Face, Poke, Book and Wall), or any confusingly similar marks, except as expressly permitted by our Brand Usage Guidelines or with our prior written permission.”

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by apeman2502 on March 28, 2012 at 2:31am

Why don't they trademark the word 'pap' while they are at it. Or 'flush' or 'trivia' or 'reheated TV dinner'? I think the Rothschild bank already patented the word 'Sucker'.

Permalink Reply by apeman2502 on March 28, 2012 at 2:49am

Move.

Permalink Reply by DTOM on March 28, 2012 at 4:47am

Are people still using this POS?

Permalink Reply by truth on March 28, 2012 at 1:09pm

I would wager more than 75pct of the members here use ciabook. I often am told we must use their tools against them...hmm I disagree, Just consider if all the "patriots" started leaving fb and joined sites like this. WHat a different interwebs we would have I think.

Permalink Reply by Amaterasu Solar on April 1, 2012 at 3:38pm

I have never checked in at the Hotel Califacebook (TM) [wink] (You can check out any time You like but You can never leave). Never plan to either.

Permalink Reply by Amaterasu Solar on April 1, 2012 at 3:36pm

BRILLIANT! I'm going to trademark "I!"

Permalink Reply by Unemployed Storm trooper TK420 on March 28, 2012 at 9:07pm

As things are going , it won't impress me to see someone trademarking the whole English language dictionary word by word and suing people for talking in English ! LOL ! Whoever in facebook is thinking about trademarking the word Book is such a retard !

Permalink Reply by Amaterasu Solar on March 29, 2012 at 1:56am

Ah, fer fooks sake! I want to start a site called Basefook.

So... If I say I am selling a book I can be sued? [I roll My eyes!]

End profit motive! Sign a petition to eliminate the need for money:

http://www.change.org/petitions/us-military-release-the-technology-...

Permalink Reply by Charles Magus on April 1, 2012 at 2:37pm

Face book has no rights to anything! So long as companies are not pretending to be facebook. End the Stupid and illegal copyright law!!! It is out dated and needs to be lessened or completely removed!

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