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[mre]

It's obvious the patent is for printing pi on t-shirts as a logo, which is reasonable.

It's not a patent.

 

[Devolution]

brb going to trademark ∞

 

[Aquamarine]

It's obvious the patent is for printing pi on t-shirts as a logo, which is reasonable.

So if I trademark the letter "A" for t-shirts as a logo, can no one else use the letter A in t-shirts as well?

 

[ItIsOkBro]

...How? It's a mathematical symbol, for god's sake.

So if I want to create a clothing brand I have to make up a word?

What's happening here is the equivalent of

 

[mrkgoo]

To be fair, if you don't have some sort of trademark system it would be chaos. And if you didn't allow symbols or basic words, all companies would have weird logos and be named "zazzle".

 

[QuicheFontaine]

To be fair, if you don't have some sort of trademark system it would be chaos. And if you didn't allow symbols or basic words, all companies would have weird logos and be named "zazzle".

The bigger problem with not having a trade mark system at all, is that numerous companies would label their goods with the same name.

If there was no trade mark law, and I was starting a new drinks company, I'd sure as hell name it "Coca-cola", because more people would buy it. That's ultimately bad for consumers though, as they're unable to find the real product they're looking for.

 

[mr2xxx]

Anyone take"#" or "$" yet?

 

[FortuneFaded]

Irrational.

 

[Hackworth]

I hope this chump gets slapped down and has to eat humble π

 

[ItIsOkBro]

So if I trademark the letter "A" for t-shirts as a logo, can no one else use the letter A in t-shirts as well?

A stylized A, sure.

 

[Aquamarine]

A stylized A, sure.

The problem is that this artist is claiming to trademark all representations of pi. I can understand if he was trying to trademark a unique, stylized logo, but Zazzle literally removed all traces of clothing containing the mathematical symbol, regardless of how it was styled.

 

[AlexMogil]

just try and stop me mutherfuckers

I would wear this.

 

[RedShift]

I support this guy's claim, we should all move to using Tau instead.

IT JUST MAKES TOO MUCH SENSE.

If we meet aliens they will laugh at us for using Pi not Tau, not even kidding.

 

[ItIsOkBro]

The problem is that this artist is claiming to trademark all representations of pi. I can understand if he was trying to trademark a unique, stylized logo, but Zazzle literally removed all traces of clothing containing the mathematical symbol, regardless of how it was styled.

Zazzle is just playing it safe. Too safe imo.

I doubt this infringes.

 

[Septimius]

Irrational.

YES

 

[Tesseract]

nicely done, cum chump

 

[phisheep]

Dear Mr Ingrisano,

Thank you for your letter of May 16th.

Quite frankly it was a waste of your time writing it. As I'm sure you know, the letter "pi" has been in common use in written language and in mathematics for some 4000+ years, and its use in either of those contexts is by no means an infringement of your trademark, even when the letter is printed on clothing.

If you take umbrage at such use then I would humbly suggest it is your own stupid fault for choosing as a trademark something that has such common currency.

We shall cease and desist nothing at all.

Don't even think of bringing this to court, you'll find it embarrassing and it will make you appear more of a dick than you apparently already are.

Yours sincerely,

phisheep
pp Zazzle

p.s. It appears from your letter that you are also claiming copyright in "pi". If so, may I congratulate you on your 4000-and-somethingth birthday and remind you that copyright doesn't last that long.

 

[CornBurrito]

There's always going to be a lot of assholes ready to abuse the system, it's the system that should be better.

Why not both?

 

[way more]

I wonder, did the Phelps patent "I Hate Fags?" If not someone should do it and sell little IHF keychains and hats Then you could demand the Phelps pay you royalties each time they used your slogan and you could donate the proceeds to the gayest cause you could find.

 

[Broder Salsa]

Why not both?

That would be the dream wouldn't it? But people aren't going to stop being assholes, the system however could be fixed.

 

[Kinyou]

I wonder, did the Phelps patent "I Hate Fags?" If not someone should do it and sell little IHF keychains and hats Then you could demand the Phelps pay you royalties each time they used your slogan and you could donate the proceeds to the gayest cause you could find.

Oil wrestling?

 

[RevoDS]

A court hearing about this would begin and end with two simple words:

Prior use.

Spoiler

I am not a lawyer

 

[CadetMahoney]

Do these American trademark claims matter in Soviet Russia?

/serious.

 

[Hypereides]

Why the fuck did the US patent department allow this. This one of the most questionable decisions ever made.

 

[CornBurrito]

That would be the dream wouldn't it? But people aren't going to stop being assholes, the system however could be fixed.

Right, I realize the importance of fixing the system. But I see no reason to condone poor behavior simply because "well hey, the system is faulty!" I also don't see a reason to absolve the person of any blame.

 

[Septimius]

Right, I realize the importance of fixing the system. But I see no reason to condone poor behavior simply because "well hey, the system is faulty!" I also don't see a reason to absolve the person of any blame.

I've never heard of such patent and trademark trolling in my country. People will forever be opportunists morons. Not condoning that won't change much. It is the system that is subject to change.

 

[rudieboy77]

I'm going to copyright the Englinsh language so if you use Englinsh, stop.

 

[GoldenEye 007]

I'm going to copyright the Englinsh language so if you use Englinsh, stop.

Not a problem. It's all yours!

 

[Winterfang]

I'll need to trademark the @ symbol. All that email and keyboard money!!

 

[Loxley]

I'll need to trademark the @ symbol. All that email and keyboard money!!

Fuck that man, @ is yesterday's news. Hop on trademarking the # symbol and you'll be a millionaire tonight.

 

[Conor_Fool]

wrong thread

 

[AnathemicOne]

I'm totes copyrighting +

Try to do your math problems now!!!!

 

[Wyndstryker]

I want to trademark the english alphabet.