[unixdotcom]

Originally Posted by AWS

I am sure that if anyone attempted to trademark vB, VB or vb that Microsoft would dispute it. They have a team of lawyers that look out for those things.

I kindly suggest you visit www.uspto.gov and search TESS for "vb" and see how many hits you get that are uses of the term vB (or VB) not related to Microsoft's visual basic.

Have you tried a TESS search? I have, and the search does not agree with your statement.

Here is one, for your viewing pleasure:

Word Mark VB
Goods and Services IC 009. US 021 023 026 036 038. G & S: CUSTOM DESIGNED SOFTWARE TO ASSIST EXECUTIVES AND MANAGERS IN DECISION MAKING. FIRST USE: 19980420. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 19980420
Mark Drawing Code (3) DESIGN PLUS WORDS, LETTERS, AND/OR NUMBERS
Design Search Code 260521 261709 270301
Serial Number 76535464
Filing Date August 8, 2003
Current Filing Basis 1A
Original Filing Basis 1A
Published for Opposition May 11, 2004
Registration Number 2868893
Registration Date August 3, 2004
Owner (REGISTRANT) VENTURE BUILDERS CORPORATION OHIO 3731 Earls Court View, Bldg. II Cincinnati OHIO 45226
Attorney of Record JOSEPH A. SEBOLT
Type of Mark TRADEMARK
Register PRINCIPAL
Live/Dead Indicator LIVE

In fact, Microsoft does not have a trademark for "vB" according to the US PTO.

BTW, a search of TESS shows that MS does have a TM for visual basic:

Word Mark VISUAL BASIC
Goods and Services IC 009. US 026 038. G & S: computer programs; namely, utility programs, language processors and interpreters, and documentation sold therewith as a unit. FIRST USE: 19910515. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 19910515
Mark Drawing Code (1) TYPED DRAWING
Serial Number 74111826
Filing Date November 1, 1990
Current Filing Basis 1A
Original Filing Basis 1B
Published for Opposition July 28, 1992
Registration Number 1787376
Registration Date August 10, 1993
Owner (REGISTRANT) MICROSOFT CORPORATION CORPORATION DELAWARE One Microsoft Way Redmond WASHINGTON 980526399
Assignment Recorded ASSIGNMENT RECORDED
Attorney of Record WILLIAM O FERRON JR
Disclaimer NO CLAIM IS MADE TO THE EXCLUSIVE RIGHT TO USE "BASIC" APART FROM THE MARK AS SHOWN
Type of Mark TRADEMARK
Register PRINCIPAL
Affidavit Text SECT 15. SECT 8 (6-YR). SECTION 8(10-YR) 20030712.
Renewal 1ST RENEWAL 20030712
Live/Dead Indicator LIVE