Google Creates Alphabet, but Runs into BMW
nytimes.com
Google Creates Alphabet, but Runs into BMW
1–10 of 66 posts
Re: Google Creates Alphabet, but Runs into BMW
#2Engadget article: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=10043212
---
...the Internet domain alphabet.com, as well as the trademark Alphabet, already belonged to someone else — namely, the German automaker BMW. And if they had dialed BMW headquarters in Munich, they would have discovered something else: BMW does not want to sell.
Well that's embarrassing. Good thing they launched with abc.xyz.
But wait...
Just because one company uses a name does not mean another company cannot use it. Trademark infringement occurs if another company’s use could create confusion with consumers, according to the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
Re: Google Creates Alphabet, but Runs into BMW
#3Timely considering PG's post earlier in the week http://paulgraham.com/name.html
Re: Google Creates Alphabet, but Runs into BMW
#4Still seems stupid to not at least try to buy the facebook+domain name and the twitter handle @alphabet. I bet the twitter owner would love to part with it for a few million. Even BMW might be amenable to enough scratch.
Re: Google Creates Alphabet, but Runs into BMW
#5Timely considering PG's post earlier in the week http://paulgraham.com/name.html
> Unless you're so big that your reputation precedes you...
Re: Google Creates Alphabet, but Runs into BMW
#6Is it actually important for the holding company to be well branded ?
Re: Google Creates Alphabet, but Runs into BMW
#7Engadget article: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=10043212 --- ...the Internet domain alphabet.com, as well as the trademark Alphabet, already belonged to someone else — namely, the German automaker BMW. And if they had dialed BMW headquarters in Munich, they would have discovered something else: BMW does not want to sell. Well that's embarrassing. Good thing they launched with abc.xyz. But wait... Just because…
Good thing one of them is a car company...
Re: Google Creates Alphabet, but Runs into BMW
#8Seems like a non-issue. They did no research ahead of time regarding alphabet.com/@alphabet handles... this would indicate that they are not that concerned about the visibility/branding of the holding company, which stands to reason.
It's not like they didn't think about these things when they were naming, they just don't care.
Re: Google Creates Alphabet, but Runs into BMW
#9Engadget article: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=10043212 --- ...the Internet domain alphabet.com, as well as the trademark Alphabet, already belonged to someone else — namely, the German automaker BMW. And if they had dialed BMW headquarters in Munich, they would have discovered something else: BMW does not want to sell. Well that's embarrassing. Good thing they launched with abc.xyz. But wait... Just because…
Good thing one of them is a car company...
BMW noticed Google's pushing into the (self-driving) car business. That's what their trademark complaint's based on.
Re: Google Creates Alphabet, but Runs into BMW
#10Timely considering PG's post earlier in the week http://paulgraham.com/name.html
> Unless you're so big that your reputation precedes you...
Agreed that nobody is going to think Google is a marginal company. IANAL, but I'd think it's a bit odd that nobody from Google would contact BMW (as BMW spokesperson said in article). An announcement this big concerning two large companies doesn't seem a situation where you'd ask forgiveness rather than permission.