VB Webmaster - Give us a Look Please

[noppid]

I can't answer for either of those posts regarding the branding of the site. That is not my call.

But I will tell you this, it will be something I bring up. I've heard enough about the site branding to "get it".

I still think it's a useful mis-use for association using keywords though.

[AWS]

Mikerowsoft also misused a brand. vBulletin is the brand. vB is just an abbreviation that us users gave to it.
The first thing I think about when I see vb, vB or VB is Visual Basic and not vbulletin. I am sure this is true of many more people.

[DrkFusion]

Originally Posted by AWS

Mikerowsoft also misused a brand. vBulletin is the brand. vB is just an abbreviation that us users gave to it.
The first thing I think about when I see vb, vB or VB is Visual Basicand not vbulletin. I am sure this is true of many more people.

The first thing I think about when I see VB is Visual Basic, the firstthing that comes to mind when I see vB is vBulletin - as you can seemany people see many different things; it is up to you as a webmasterand owner of the site to find an equal balance where you satisfy everyuser, while knowing 100% that the site strictly protrays what itstrives to refrence.

[AWS]

the firstthing that comes to mind when I see vB is vBulletin

That's because you are part of the vbulletin community. If you weren't you wouldn't connect the 2.
Do a search on Google for vB and see what you get.

[Polo]

I say use the vbulletin defaul template and the logo similar to vbulletin... that way people will connect the site iwth vbulletin it right away... and not with visual basic.. just my 2 cents

[noppid]

Originally Posted by Polo

I say use the vbulletin defaul template and the logo similar to vbulletin... that way people will connect the site iwth vbulletin it right away... and not with visual basic.. just my 2 cents

Interesting you say that, cause I would have done that if it was mine I believe.

[unixdotcom]

Originally Posted by AWS

That's because you are part of the vbulletin community. If you weren't you wouldn't connect the 2.
Do a search on Google for vB and see what you get.

Precisely. First of all, Google searches are not case-sensitive. Quote from Google:

Google searches are NOT case sensitive. All letters, regardless of how you type them, will be understood as lower case. For example, searches for george washington, George Washington, and gEoRgE wAsHiNgToN will all return the same results.

So, vB or VB or vb or Vb does not make a difference as far a Google goes.

With regard to VB as related to visual basic, yes, Jelsoft and vBulletin have not yet surpassed Microsoft, laughing out loud, but that does not mean that vB is not a brand for Jelsoft or could not be trademarked. In fact, I just searched TESS at www.uspto.com and noticed that vBulletin was not trademarked (Jelsoft, I would do this immediately if I were you) and noticed there are lots of vB trademarks (I would trademark this for virtual electronic and on-line communties if I were you). You greatly improve the strength and value your brand(s) by trademarks.

Just because VB is a brand for a programming language does not mean that vB is not a brand for virtual communties. Both can co-exisit as trademarks. Good Coders are not necessarily the best business people and the reverse is also true too!

PM me if you want a great TM (intellectual property) attorney in the US. I know one of the best with one of the top firms in the US.

[noppid]

Peoples eyes are case sensitive. I'll continue to mix up my anchors. That is what this was about, maximizing viewability of your link amoung 10's of other links. But that seems to have gotten lost in a brand loyalty/trademark argument.

I'll type pepsi, coke, microsoft, vb, vbulletin or any other word the way I please when I discuss it. No attorney can stop me.

[filburt1]

Originally Posted by unixdotcom

Precisely. First of all, Google searches are not case-sensitive. Quote from Google:



So, vB or VB or vb or Vb does not make a difference as far a Google goes.

With regard to VB as related to visual basic, yes, Jelsoft and vBulletin have not yet surpassed Microsoft, laughing out loud, but that does not mean that vB is not a brand for Jelsoft or could not be trademarked. In fact, I just searched TESS at www.uspto.com and noticed that vBulletin was not trademarked (Jelsoft, I would do this immediately if I were you) and noticed there are lots of vB trademarks (I would trademark this for virtual electronic and on-line communties if I were you). You greatly improve the strength and value your brand(s) by trademarks.

Just because VB is a brand for a programming language does not mean that vB is not a brand for virtual communties. Both can co-exisit as trademarks. Good Coders are not necessarily the best business people and the reverse is also true too!

PM me if you want a great TM (intellectual property) attorney in the US. I know one of the best with one of the top firms in the US.

Jelsoft is based in the UK and therefore I don't believe they can register a trademark in the US.

[unixdotcom]

Originally Posted by filburt1

Jelsoft is based in the UK and therefore I don't believe they can register a trademark in the US.

Of course they can. Any company can register a trademark in the US. I deal with TM attorneys on a weekly basis. See below:

Reference: USPTO

NAME OF THE APPLICANT

The application must be filed in the name of the owner of the mark. The owner of the mark is the person or entity who controls the nature and quality of the goods identified by the mark and/or the services rendered in connection with the mark. The owner may be an individual, corporation, partnership, or other type of legal entity.

Do I have to be a U.S. citizen to apply?

No. However, if you do not reside in the United States, you may appoint a "domestic representative" as part of the application process (see below).

Normally, this means the attorney in the US who represents the TM applicant.....

Also, from the USPTO site:

Is registration of my mark required?
No. You can establish rights in a mark based on legitimate use of the mark. However, owning a federal trademark registration on the Principal Register provides several advantages, e.g.,

* constructive notice to the public of the registrant's claim of ownership of the mark;
* a legal presumption of the registrant's ownership of the mark and the registrant's exclusive right to use the mark nationwide on or in connection with the goods and/or services listed in the registration;
* the ability to bring an action concerning the mark in federal court;
* the use of the U.S registration as a basis to obtain registration in foreign countries; and
* the ability to file the U.S. registration with the U.S. Customs Service to prevent importation of infringing foreign goods.

When can I use the trademark symbols TM, SM and ??

Any time you claim rights in a mark, you may use the "TM" (trademark) or "SM" (service mark) designation to alert the public to your claim, regardless of whether you have filed an application with the USPTO. However, you may use the federal registration symbol "?" only after the USPTO actually registers a mark, and not while an application is pending. Also, you may use the registration symbol with the mark only on or in connection with the goods and/or services listed in the federal trademark registration.

Originally Posted by noppid

I'll type pepsi, coke, microsoft, vb, vbulletin or any other word the way I please when I discuss it. No attorney can stop me.

As I recall, we were not discussing attorneys, we were discussing communities and branding. I am simply, in this part of the thread, providing some guidance on TM rights in the US because I like Jelsoft and their brand and want to see them do well.

And yes, if Jelsoft wanted to, they could pay an attorney to stop you from discussing their products using VB on a web site with big graphics, etc. (note, we are not simply talking about a casual conversation, we are taking about your website where you associate yourself with Jelsoft and vB). They certainly have that right, absolutely, even without a TM. Isn't this your graphic on your new website?



However, with a TM, they can get a summary judgement against you, if they wanted to, in a US federal court. Of course, they surely don't because you are small and have no important business model that is effecting their brand integrity (today).

You are simply talking about things you have no knowledge about, noppid. True knowledge is understanding what you do not know and the wisdom to listen to those who do. In this case, you show disrespect for the vB community by your attitude of "na nah na nah na, noppid can do want ever he wants ... na nah na nah na..."

Go back and read the other posts where we discussed this in depth ...... thanks (I'm trying hard to be patience, but it is difficult for me considering your fu attitude towards Jelsoft's brand and identity ...)