Google IP
-
Hi all
I noticed that at the top of the forum there's the SketchUp logo, and also the phrase "Home of the SketchUp community". I've talked to google about having a SketchUp related website and they don't seem to allow anyone to use their logo or SketchUp in the name or catch phrase. Am I doing something wrong where Coen's doing something right? I've also bought a domain name with "sketchuptraining" in it and they don't like that. Surely any site that promotes sketchup is good for them?
Any thoughts greatly appreciated,
Thanks
Rob -
I used to work for a company that wrote software for DB2 on the IBM mainframes (I still do this for, just another company now). IBM is very protective of the trademarks and copyrights as well. The product names we used to use were names like DB2-LOAD and DB2-UNLOAD, etc. We had to change them to names like LOAD FOR DB2 and UNLOAD FOR DB2. So, perhaps you could use TrainingforSketchup or something similar.
Todd
-
-
I'm not sure if this matters, but that is the old SketchUp logo and not the one that is currently used by Google.
This is now the SketchUp logo:As to SketchUp training, they are now "selling" franchises to people who wish to become authorized trainings centres. You therefore need to pay for the right to use the word sketchup and training in the same breath.
-
I thought that may be the case... they seemed to be pitching to me about seminars in Stl... so I bet someone has bought one there.
-
Thanks for the help so far. That at least explains some of it. Can they do that though? If I buy a Mars bar, I can sell it on wherever and however I like, since it's my property. I can use the text "mars" to describe what it is I'm selling, because a "mars bar" is what it has colloquelly become known as. The company cannot control that. So how come Google is trying to with SketchUp? I'm merely describing the service I'm providing, and as I own my own expertise and training materials, that's none of their business as long as I don't "pass myself off" as officially Google.
Trademarks and copyright are there to protect brands from being copied. So if I tried to sell a CAD package called "Goggle Sketchy" I would expect to be shopped. Some input from Craige or Bil might be helpful on this, though I don't expect they know either.
Kris: What's a C&D?
Rob
-
Thanks for that insight, MH. There's a lot of similarities between the two companies it seems. So the next question is: Since there's no chance my coffers could outlast Google's coffers, and since I actually want to get on amicably with Google, what are my options? Should I just start up a site and see what they do? (I was actually the one who contacted them in the first instance to check with them what their IP policy was).
Btw is MS still bigger than G? What are the current G problems?
-
Rob,
C&D = Cease & Desist
a letter, formally informing you of the infringement and giving you fair opportunity to make yourself right with the law. so as not to muddle the courts with two parties that will amicably settle anyway.
but as model head states, I would not give anyone anything for free.
I think it also boils down to what you're trying to accomplish, if you're competing or drawing income to them. this website is both compliment and sales tool for SketchUp. this forum makes money for them. we draw people over from free to pro, we show professionals in the many fields associated with SU that pro is worth the investment. we also train people for free.
in the training realm you're on the most shaky of ground, because GSU has already mapped out that territory for themselves. although you can go down that road alone and try be successful training on your own. Google could probably help you if you were licensed.
and of course if you ask Google what they think, they are always 100% of the time going to say no, and protect their trademark or copyright.
I didn't ask them if I could open sketchup-house-plans.com, and I've not heard from them. I see it as what I do, I make house plans with SketchUp.
there are people at GSU reading this right now... we have several members from the company. but I doubt they will comment on this thread, because it's probably legal dept stuff.
I've always seen Google as a type of Hippie Company, they like communal work, and I've never heard of them being too brutal about going after little guys... Google offers it's coding on lots of different avenues, I mean far to many to list. if you dig on their website you'll see an open source for just about everything they do. that means they are into learning and growing, not bickering and fighting.
this being said... hold modelhead's post close to heart, and remember they are still a huge company, and a lawyer is a lawyer is a lawyer.... so if they have a lawyer and he contacts you, then you better have one too. until that happens... I wouldn't worry too much about it. after you've made your first 100k from your website... then worry about it.
-
Rob, As far as US law is concerned, the word SketchUp is Google's property. The first step is applying for a TM and after about 5 years of legally exhaustive research in the use of the word, probably worldwide in this case, the owner is granted a registration mark.
If the owner does not protect the use of their property, the owner risks losing the rights to the word to the public domain.
Allowing people to use the word formica instead of plastic laminate caused a problem for the Formica company. And I've notice that people now say photocopy instead of xerox, as was once common.
Stateside there's an organization that occasionally gives free seminars by lawyers to educate small business owners http://score.org/. I don't know what GB has but the laws should be similar. You may not leave an intellectual property seminar smiling.
If you expand your business to training on several different software platforms someday, your proposed name is a bit limiting.
-
Hi all.
Once again, thanks for the insight.
I fully respect the amount of time and money any company or individual puts into their IP, and it is only right that they should protect that. 5 years research - wow! This is why I always use genuine software (which is often swimming against the tide).
I've been on a seminar arranged by the UK patent office for small business advisors, so I'm pretty clued up in the main, but it's not always the same over the pond. The Formica example is interesting but it doesn't apply IMO. They let the word become associated with something not their product. SU is SU and no-one's trying to label "sketchy" software in general as "sketchup".
Looks like the way forward is to build up the site so that G can see what I'm doing and if it's a competitor or a benefit to them. I think it'll be a benefit which is why I was surprised at their stance. Kris may have hit the nail on the head with his comment:
"and of course if you ask Google what they think, they are always 100% of the time going to say no, and protect their trademark or copyright."
In the meantime I'll keep the URL parked.
Advertisement