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Tower Bridge bot killed by Twitter, replaced with marketing

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Re: Tower Bridge bot killed by Twitter, replaced with marketing

#21

Post by corin_ »

iamdave wrote: post #14
msy wrote: post #10

Given how often this happens with Twitter, Facebook and ever other Corp-owned namespace the more I appreciate the clear ownership status afforded by DNS, despite it's many flaws. It's also why I put my domain on my business card but not my Twitter, all it'd take is an account hack and some spam or a backhander from some firm and it would't be mind anymore with no recourse whatsoever.

Linking to your twitter profile as a "url" is something I've never understood. I'll see really awesome web sites, want to see what else the person has done and I have to go through the extra clicks of first going to a twitter profile, then to the site. Granted, it's one extra click, but I'm not particularly interested in your timeline of tweets. I want to see your work.

Twitter on business cards is mostly as a form of connection (same as an email address). For many people it's a dumb idea, but in some circles (a good example being tech marketing) it can be useful. If someone who actively uses twitter follows you, and you're an active user too, it's a constant reminder that they know you, and they won't forget who you are.

Re: Tower Bridge bot killed by Twitter, replaced with marketing

#23

Post by groby_b »

More proof that any data you share on a system that is not controlled by you is vulnerable to the interests of the system owner. Even worse when that data basically is part of your identity online.

And I'm not surprised it happened, either. Twitter seems to be slowly realizing that the way for them to make money is to work as an online "passport" of sorts - an identity service. As such, they have to head that direction. Sure, they need a better arbitration process. But as long as they can get away with just giving it to the more likely candidate, why spend the money?

Re: Tower Bridge bot killed by Twitter, replaced with marketing

#27

Post by jasonlotito »

http://support.twitter.com/articles/18311-the-twitter-rules

"Trademark: We reserve the right to reclaim user names on behalf of businesses or individuals that hold legal claim or trademark on those user names. Accounts using business names and/or logos to mislead others will be permanently suspended."

How they handled it might have sucked, but it was fairly clear what they would end up doing in situations like this.

Re: Tower Bridge bot killed by Twitter, replaced with marketing

#28

Post by xsmasher »

m0tive wrote: post #16
thehodge wrote: post #6

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Just as an addition to this, a friend just pointed out this tweet https://twitter.com/#!/brandcarrie/status/20333195936 About to set up a Tower Bridge Twitter with the IT boys... Any advice?

I don't think we should start blaming the marketing agency for what has happened (even if they did start the process). It is Twitter who should take responsibility for silently transferring ownership of the @towerbridge account and then effectively deleting it.

Not yet. The original user should kindly ask for the account back.

EDIT: User, not owner.

Re: Tower Bridge bot killed by Twitter, replaced with marketing

#30

Post by mryall »

kmfrk wrote: post #8

So much wrong with this (feel free to add more numbered points): 1. The account was already popular (i.e., it served a purpose): 4000+ followers. 2. The account was already active with plenty of tweets. 3. No warning. No notice. 4. No back-up of the tweets. 5. The new account is clearly some useless social media expert bullshit. 6. In their defence, the new user claims not to have been informed of how this was going…

Trademark is the normal legal foundation for protecting a name. But trademarks are limited by industry and geography, so attempting to enforce them on a single global namespace like Twitter or DNS is always going to end up with conflicts.

However, this is probably the best way to protect a name you use on Twitter: register a trademark and let them know that you're using your registered name as a Twitter handle and want it maintained for your business/organisation.

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