[wp-hackers] Putting the P in WordPress

[Mike Little]

On 6 July 2010 11:53, Gavin Pearce <Gavin.Pearce at 3seven9.com> wrote:

> > As has been pointed out on this thread, WordPress is a trademark, and as
> > such *must* be actively protected, otherwise the trademark status will be
> > lost.
>
> As also pointed on this thread - that's complete rubbish. If enough people
> start writing MicroSoft, that doesn't "loose" Microsoft's right to the
> trademark. The only time this would be any issue in the slightest, is when
> trying to protect an "unregistered" trademark.
>
> End users writing Wordpress, Wordress, wOrDpReSs, WORDPRESS etc doesn't
> affect the trademark in any way whatsoever. (slightly different if WordPress
> foundation started doing it).
>
> (http://www.uspto.gov/trademarks/law/index.jsp |
> http://www.ipo.gov.uk/types/tm.htm)
>
>

Not rubbish at all, but standard practice in law, in both the US and the UK
(and many other territories). Here' s one reference
http://cyber.law.harvard.edu/metaschool/fisher/domain/tm.htm#6 and here's
another http://www.askjim.biz/answers/losing-rights-to-a-trademark_397.php
there
are many if you wish to search.

If you do not actively police your trademark, you can lose the rights to it.

Mike
-- 
Mike Little
http://zed1.com/