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From: GENOL%UCCMVSA.bitnet@uccvma.ucop.edu (Genevieve Engel)
Newsgroups: sci.virtual-worlds
Subject: Re Re Re We need a new name
Message-ID: <16230@milton.u.washington.edu>
Date: 11 Feb 91 19:54:46 GMT
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Regarding Craig Wilson's suggestion that a trusted organization
trademark VR buzzwords, then not be too conscientious about policing
their use:  I would check with a trademark & copyright lawyer before
I attempted this!  Depending on how lax you are with your trademark,
you can lose it.  If you lose it, it can then be picked up by any
old unscrupulous company.

I know the possibility of losing a trademark applies if the
trademark holder is careless with it (e.g., doesn't indicate
TM or (R) on trademarked products), but I don't know how much this
extends to monitoring others' carelessness.  I think it is possible
that if you don't make any move to enforce others' proper use of
your trademark, you might be in danger of losing it.

As I understand it, the best way to make a word un-trademarkable
is to bandy it about as much as you can so that it gets into common
usage, preferably into the dictionary.

Genny Engel
GENOL@UCCMVSA.BITNET
Not a lawyer!!! Do not interpret any of the above as any kind
of legal advice!!!!