Retraction from Tumblr • Hacker News Board

Re: Retraction from Tumblr

#61

Post by DocG » Sun, Sep 01, 2013, 1:49 AM UTC

raverbashing wrote: post #21

And by the way, this is not (mainly) because it was front page on HN. HN users do not overlap (a lot) with the target audience for Tumblr. (not a lot at least) HN is of course an important news outlet in the industry.

true, but it is same with google reader. it is not profitable, but who is target audience? the guys who install and recommend most of the software for casual users. So in some cases, you need to please a smaller group, to win over bigger group.

I think any company can win market, if your local it friend/guy starts recommending you specific brand. For example, I changed 10 peoples mind how to think about AV. They went over from AVG to MSE, because I recommended. Why? Because, there is less chance for them to fuck it up and install trial.

Re: Retraction from Tumblr

#62

Post by smegel » Sun, Sep 01, 2013, 3:41 AM UTC

I wonder what the threshold is for pursuing trademark infringement...obviously imposters but what else?

Re: Retraction from Tumblr

#63

Post by einhverfr » Sun, Sep 01, 2013, 4:31 AM UTC

chimeracoder wrote: post #24

darrenkopp wrote: post #9

Earlier quoted context omitted.

IANAL, but to me it seems more like "we are actively defending our trademark (ala the hiring of the legal company), but we do not believe that you are infringing on that trademark and what you are doing is fair use, so carry on"

DannyBee (who is a lawyer) pointed out in the thread last night that this doesn't need to be "defended" against. He explained that, since they use the term "Tumblr" to refer specifically to the real company Tumblr, and since it's clear that they're not trying to masquerade as Tumblr or cause any confusion, that this is a legitimate use of the term and does not need to be "defended against" in order to protect the tra…

This is correct. However, I think it is good practice to properly attribute trademarks in those cases to make sure that it is clear that it is intended in this way.

A small disclaimer at the bottom of the page saying:

Tumblr(R) is a registered trademark of Tumblr, Inc. which is not affiliated with this site. All other trademarks are owned by their respective owners.

goes a long ways towards avoiding problems like this.

Re: Retraction from Tumblr

#64

Post by lvs » Sun, Sep 01, 2013, 6:24 AM UTC

sillysaurus2 wrote: post #18

lvs wrote: post #11

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This type of thinking is poisonous to the industry and to all industries.

It's not "thinking." It's a question. It's annoying that I can't ask a startup question in a startup community without being characterized as an evil capitalist.

You're right: it's not really thinking after all.

I wouldn't see a reason for annoyance. It seems you asked a question, and you got answers. I'd declare success.