Google & Others Sued Over Android Trademark 156
suraj.sun tips news that Google and 47 other companies are being sued over use of the "Android" name. Eric Specht of Android Data alleges that Google "stole first and asked questions later." According to The Register, "Google applied for a trademark for Android in October of 2007, but had that application denied in February of 2008. The USPTO's reasoning for the denial was simple: Since both Google and Specht were involved in the development of software and related services, 'consumers are likely to conclude that the goods are related and originate from a single source.'" Reader ruphus13 points out related news that Motorola is planning several Android-based phones for later this year.
Re:This is typical stuff. (Score:0, Funny)
6) PROFIT!!!
Re:This is typical stuff. (Score:1, Funny)
Should have just called them Popplers... or Zitlers.
Re:This is typical stuff. (Score:5, Funny)
Tastesicles.
Re:This is typical stuff. (Score:5, Funny)
Have you heard about Android Data before google made their move? Thought so.
I'd heard of an Android called Data [wikipedia.org]...is that the same thing?
Re:This is typical stuff. (Score:5, Funny)
If you don't know what to do after profit, you've got some sort of a problem.
Re:This is typical stuff. (Score:1, Funny)
And then there's the obvious ... (Score:5, Funny)
... that the name "Android" really sucks for a cell phone.
Let's take an example of how it was done right - the Motorola Razr - "as thin as a razor."
But then again, this is from a company (Google) that couldn't even spell their OWN name right. [wikipedia.org]
Google - accidental misspelling of googol. According to Google's vice president, as quoted on a BBC The Money Programme documentary, January 2006, the founders - noted for their poor spelling - registered Google as a trademark and web address before someone pointed out that it was not correct.
Hey, maybe they should have mis-spelled it as "Andruid" - they could have had a tie-in with the Boston Celtics. Or "Endroid" and hooked up with Preparation H. ("Shitty cell phone service? Use Endroid"). Or A-roid - the "Cell phone on steroids".
Re:Android is much older than that... (Score:3, Funny)
Not time for etymology nazis.
Y'know, the word "nazi" was originally* an abbreviation for Nationalsozialist, which means "National Socialist" (from the political party name). It was coined as an insult to the political party and was used in southern Germany to refer to a clumsy fool. It came into English by exiles and refugees from Germany. The actual National Socialist party avoided the word.
It's interesting that, in modern usage, it's managed to take on the meaning of a person who insists upon strict, pedantic application of rules. This is the first time I've heard of an "etymology nazi", tho', since etymology is neither a political stance, a set of rules, or anything at all to do with a klutz. It makes me wonder if "nazi" is gradually taking on a fluid meaning with a negative connotation in the way "gay" has done over the last decade. Soon, we might hear kids saying "This movie is so gay. The director is a drama nazi."
(I am outside.)
*This ignores usage from c. 1903 which was similar to the later usage, but probably did not contribute to it being coined again.