VB Webmaster - Give us a Look Please

[AWS]

Originally Posted by unixdotcom

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



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

Also, from the USPTO site:





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.

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 ...)

First off vB is not a brand for Jelsoft and never was. vBulletin is their brand. No where on Jelsofts site is there any mention of vB except in the forums. The reason the official sites are named vbulletin.org, vbulletin.com, vbulletintemplates.com and the like with the word vbulletin is to strengthen the trademark.
vB came about through laziness on the part of us community members. It was much easier for us to type an abbreviation like vB then to type vBulletin.

[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

[Polo]

Originally Posted by noppid

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

really?

[filburt1]

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

However, if it is very similar, then users will just think it's a stock vBulletin installation. Remember, one of the problems with UI design is that users don't read.