Flipper Zero: Tamagochi for Hackers • Hacker News Board

Re: Flipper Zero: Tamagochi for Hackers

#21

Post by devit » Wed, Mar 10, 2021, 12:43 AM UTC

Wouldn't a software defined radio transceiver be more effective for this task? (so you can eavesdrop and interfere with any radio system)

Or are they too bulky/expensive to fit in a portable device?

Re: Flipper Zero: Tamagochi for Hackers

#22

Post by not2b » Wed, Mar 10, 2021, 12:47 AM UTC

yeahdef wrote: post #4

i wonder if anyone owns the rights to the name "flipper" from the TV show. could potentially be argued that it's IP theft.

Trademarks don't work that way. You don't get to own all uses of a word, only a word in a particular field (like the use of "Flipper" in names for TV shows).

Re: Flipper Zero: Tamagochi for Hackers

#23

Post by cgb223 » Wed, Mar 10, 2021, 12:50 AM UTC

ObsoleteNerd wrote: post #5

Is this anything more than a pipedream at this point? I've seen it come up multiple times over the last year, and yet a quick skim through the Github shows that there's not really anything done other than some basic planning/brainstorming. Seems a bit early to be taking preorders.

Is there a different tool that’s available now in non-tomagochi form that accomplishes more or less the same features?

Re: Flipper Zero: Tamagochi for Hackers

#24

Post by njharman » Wed, Mar 10, 2021, 12:53 AM UTC

yeahdef wrote: post #4

i wonder if anyone owns the rights to the name "flipper" from the TV show. could potentially be argued that it's IP theft.

> owns the rights to the name "flipper"

What rights do you imagine grant ownership of the word "flipper" exactly? I believe there's only four IP rights granted in US; Trade/Service mark, Patent, Copyright and Trade Secret? Which of those could possibly prevent a electronic device have same name as a TV Show?

Re: Flipper Zero: Tamagochi for Hackers

#25

Post by legostormtroopr » Wed, Mar 10, 2021, 12:53 AM UTC

not2b wrote: post #22

yeahdef wrote: post #4

i wonder if anyone owns the rights to the name "flipper" from the TV show. could potentially be argued that it's IP theft.

Trademarks don't work that way. You don't get to own all uses of a word, only a word in a particular field (like the use of "Flipper" in names for TV shows).

Yeah, except this isn't just the word "Flipper". Its the word Flipper with a dolphin avatar.

To a IP judge this is a product thats marketed as a "Tamagochi-like device with a dolphin called Flipper". Its not even a hard stretch to say that this would confuse an unsavvy consumer who might think this devices was a "Flipper the Dolphin Tamagochi".

Re: Flipper Zero: Tamagochi for Hackers

#26

Post by dang » Wed, Mar 10, 2021, 1:02 AM UTC

If curious, past threads:

Flipper Zero Manufacturing and Shipping Plan - https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=25870255 - Jan 2021 (14 comments)

Flipper Zero (Repository will be open in public soon) - https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=24090716 - Aug 2020 (1 comment)

Flipper Zero – Tamagochi for Hackers - https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=23996733 - July 2020 (53 comments)

Show HN: Flipper Zero – Tamagotchi for Hackers - https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=22941733 - April 2020 (10 comments)

Tamagotchi for Hackers - https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=22859083 - April 2020 (1 comment)

Flipper Zero: Under Development Multi-Tool Device for Pen-Testers - https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=21842830 - Dec 2019 (1 comment)

Re: Flipper Zero: Tamagochi for Hackers

#27

Post by breakfastduck » Wed, Mar 10, 2021, 1:18 AM UTC

Love the product, but the site also has a wonderful cookie notification. So much better than a huge banner.

Re: Flipper Zero: Tamagochi for Hackers

#28

Post by klingon78 » Wed, Mar 10, 2021, 1:22 AM UTC

hnnameblah365 wrote: post #6

Oh, a hacker dolphin. We are now only one laser garotte away from possessing all the tech in Johnny Mnemonic.

Not so fast. I’ve not yet seen a broken bridge with two cars suspended by chains.

Re: Flipper Zero: Tamagochi for Hackers

#29

Post by neilv » Wed, Mar 10, 2021, 1:24 AM UTC

ObsoleteNerd wrote: post #5

Is this anything more than a pipedream at this point? I've seen it come up multiple times over the last year, and yet a quick skim through the Github shows that there's not really anything done other than some basic planning/brainstorming. Seems a bit early to be taking preorders.

I participated in the Kickstarter last year, along with a gazillion other people, and am waiting patiently for my Flipper Zero pet.

They asked the Kickstarter funders a month or so ago for their CC numbers for shipping cost, as well as shipping address, color preference, and any additional accessory&unit orders. But I don't know how soon the main production run will happen.

(I did find that a little funny: the idea of a bunch of customers of a "hacking" gadget, earnestly sending their credit card numbers and home addresses to a group of other hackers. :)

Re: Flipper Zero: Tamagochi for Hackers

#30

Post by yeahdef » Wed, Mar 10, 2021, 1:29 AM UTC

njharman wrote: post #24

yeahdef wrote: post #4

i wonder if anyone owns the rights to the name "flipper" from the TV show. could potentially be argued that it's IP theft.

> owns the rights to the name "flipper" What rights do you imagine grant ownership of the word "flipper" exactly? I believe there's only four IP rights granted in US; Trade/Service mark, Patent, Copyright and Trade Secret? Which of those could possibly prevent a electronic device have same name as a TV Show?

...let's say instead of a dolphin named flipper, the character / avatar on the product was a plumber with a big mustache named "Mario". You're telling me Nintendo isn't filing a C&D?