Artist (asshole?) registers 'Pi' () as a trademark. Hilarity (idiocy?) ensues.

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Short version:

Trademark = claiming ownership of a name/symbol on a very temporary basis.
Copyright = claiming ownership of a creative work like a book, movie, game, full on piece of art, etc. Lasts the longest.
Patent = claiming ownership of an invention. Lasts only about 20 years before it's free for everyone to use.

Of course people could actually read the damn topic name and use that word instead of flinging around patent and copyright like they're synonyms.

So? Patents and trademarks both bring the same amount of bullshit. Only that patents slow technology and innovation, as opposed to just removing a few thousand t-shirts. That's the difference.
 
Zazzle have already started reinstating designs. The issue is Zazzle doesn't have lawyers, so rather than be used they err on the side of caution.

But his trademark refers to a logo rather than the symbol itself which zazzles team missed. Funny thing is he doesn't actually sell any products so there could be no confusion anyways.
 
So? Patents and trademarks both bring the same amount of bullshit. Only that patents slow technology and innovation, as opposed to just removing a few thousand t-shirts. That's the difference.
Just because that's true doesn't mean it's relevant in the active conversation... or that this point even matters when people are confusing trademarks for patents and using this an example of what's wrong with patents. I may as well use some bullshit corporate reshuffling as an example of how terrible national politics are, when it's at most a company's internal political games.
But his trademark refers to a logo rather than the symbol itself which zazzles team missed. Funny thing is he doesn't actually sell any products so there could be no confusion anyways.
This does lead me to think he'll be eviscerated if this actually goes to court.
 
Someone should patent the color green then sue every park and sports stadium for using it on their field, and then keep sueing until every last soccer pitch is painted blue, until someone patents blue and someone has to invent 'clear' colorless grass to get around it until that company gets sued too after a guy slips on the grass he couldn't see.
 
Burn down the patent system and start over

also I need to trademark the numbers 6 and 9

porn industry I'm cumming for you!
 
I'm going to trademark the letter "A," and then sue everyone in this thread for copyright infringement.

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"It has been brought to our client’s attention that your business, Zazzle Com/AKA Zazzle Inc., has been using the mathematical symbol ‘pi,’ referred to herein as the ‘PI trademark,’ in association with the marketing or sale of your products or of products offered through your services," wrote Ingrisano's lawyer, Ronald Millet, in a cease-and-desist letter sent to the company on May 16.

"We have evidence of your unlawful products to preserve as evidence. Accordingly, you are hereby directed to CEASE AND DESIST ALL COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT," the letter continued, citing U.S. registered trademark number 4473631.

Really, a lawyer wrote that? You'd think they'd know the difference between copyright infringement and trade mark infringement. Or is this just shoddy reporting?
 
Short version:

Trademark = claiming ownership of a distinctive name/symbol on a very temporary basis. Meant for specific uses, IE Apple Inc. isn't free to sue everyone selling the fruit.
Copyright = claiming ownership of a creative work like a book, movie, game, full on piece of art, etc. Lasts the longest.
Patent = claiming ownership of an invention. Lasts only about 20 years before it's free for everyone to use.

Of course people could actually read the damn topic name and use that word instead of flinging around patent and copyright like they're synonyms.

Erm, what?? Trade marks can be renewed indefinitely.

Edit: Sorry for DP
 
Short version:

Trademark = claiming ownership of a distinctive name/symbol on a very temporary basis. Meant for specific uses, IE Apple Inc. isn't free to sue everyone selling the fruit.
Copyright = claiming ownership of a creative work like a book, movie, game, full on piece of art, etc. Lasts the longest.
Patent = claiming ownership of an invention. Lasts only about 20 years before it's free for everyone to use.

Of course people could actually read the damn topic name and use that word instead of flinging around patent and copyright like they're synonyms.
A trademark can last into perpetuity so long as it's being actively used.

Edit: what Quiche said.
 
Can I Trademark colors?

According to the US Patent Office, I can trademark anything.

A bunch of geniuses they have down at the Patent office.
 
Someone should patent the color green then sue every park and sports stadium for using it on their field, and then keep sueing until every last soccer pitch is painted blue, until someone patents blue and someone has to invent 'clear' colorless grass to get around it until that company gets sued too after a guy slips on the grass he couldn't see.
Companies can trademark specific shades of colors actually (so long as they are part of a brand).
 
You'd probably do better to try an educate people rather than complaining about how dumb everyone is and how you aren't.

Otherwise you just come across as a giant dick.

Or you could do ten seconds of research so you don't look like a giant dumbass. Just sayin'.
 
Patents and trademarks are mostly approved by monkeys at typewriters.
 
He couldn't even do his math homework, he probably stole everything from another inventor. Tesla probably sent a copy of his documents before Edison burned down his house.

Well, hey, "Genius" can have a variety of definitions.
Getting people to give you stuff and allowing you to take credit for it certainly could be viewed as "Genius."
 
Are companies allowed to trademark/patent stuff that's already been done?

E.g. Valve with DOTA. How did they get away with it when DOTA was already public domain word?
 
I am going to sue him, I registered the number 3.14, Pi is 3.14, it's like if you had "A" and then someone trademarks "a", same thing...
 
The entire Trademark, Copyright and Patent systems needs to be completely overhauled. All existing ones shout have to apply for a new one and the ability to patent everyday usages and terms that are not FULL brand names should be not allowed.
 
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