You’re probably over-valuing the brand recognition from the name. The headache and time wasted dealing with it is likely more than the value gained by using that time to make the product better.
Ask HN: OK to restart an app abandoned by it's founders?
11–19 of 19 posts
Re: Ask HN: OK to restart an app abandoned by it's founders?
#12My take on it would be it's definitely OK to revive if it's going to be FOSS. Just like how VC replaced TC, even though the developers didn't intend for that to happen.
This is from a moral, not a legal perspective.
Re: Ask HN: OK to restart an app abandoned by it's founders?
#13Having recently been through an unexpected (and successful) trademark negotiation with a large international computer company, I'd say it's easier to get forgiveness than permission. Even if you get a cease and desist, a lawyer (we use Trademarkia) can negotiate a settlement. We got permission to keep using the mark and we didn't have to pay the other company anything.
Re: Ask HN: OK to restart an app abandoned by it's founders?
#14My take on it would be it's definitely OK to revive if it's going to be FOSS. Just like how VC replaced TC, even though the developers didn't intend for that to happen. This is from a moral, not a legal perspective.
What's VC/TC?
Re: Ask HN: OK to restart an app abandoned by it's founders?
#15Having recently been through an unexpected (and successful) trademark negotiation with a large international computer company, I'd say it's easier to get forgiveness than permission. Even if you get a cease and desist, a lawyer (we use Trademarkia) can negotiate a settlement. We got permission to keep using the mark and we didn't have to pay the other company anything.
Thanks! I'll keep that in mind
Re: Ask HN: OK to restart an app abandoned by it's founders?
#16Literally from googling, so not legal advice: https://www.upcounsel.com/abandoned-trademark A dead trademark is not always available for use or registration by someone else because the original registrant might still be using it, and thus retain common law trademark rights. Search the USPTO website to learn why the trademark was abandoned. You might be able to acquire the trademark depending on the circumstances of i…
Thanks for the link!
Re: Ask HN: OK to restart an app abandoned by it's founders?
#17I would reach them to offer my time and propose to partner, even if I could deal with the tech part of the project on my own.
Re: Ask HN: OK to restart an app abandoned by it's founders?
#18Re: Ask HN: OK to restart an app abandoned by it's founders?
#19Yeah, go for it. Abandoned means it's free for all.