To keep us from getting sued, we will now use b*ok to represent the word that comes after Face in that company’s name.

Facebook is trying to expand its trademark rights over the word “book” by adding the claim to a newly revised version of its “Statement of Rights and Responsibilities,” the agreement all users implicitly consent to by using or accessing Facebook.
[…]
The newly revised user agreement reads as follows (emphasis ours):

“You will not use our copyrights or trademarks (including Facebook, the Facebook and F Logos, FB, Face, Poke, Book and Wall), or any confusingly similar marks, except as expressly permitted by our Brand Usage Guidelines or with our prior written permission.”

Not accepting the terms isn’t really an option for anyone with a Facebook account. “By using or accessing Facebook, you agree to this Statement,” the document says.



  1. JimD, Boston, MA says:

    Gee, I wonder if they own FaceHole ???

  2. Uncle Patso says:

    Hmmm… Does this spell trouble for Wall Street? Bookman typeface? Pink Floyd’s The Wall? That would be a real poke in the ribs. What will libraries call all their books now?

  3. dewtheone says:

    I call prior art on the word “poke” It’s used in Commodore Basic. I guess Facebook wants to claim trademark violations on all my C64 software too 🙂

    • farmits says:

      ‘poke’ was and is used in all versions of BASIC that I’ve ever used, and that’s at least 6 or 7.

      It is in the BOOK.

  4. Likes2LOL says:

    Do F*ceb*ook user also assign away the rights to the images of their f*ces used in their profile photos?

    That would make looking in the mirror a crime!

    • C Barber says:

      In my case looking in the mirror IS a crime (well very scary anyway)

  5. farmits says:

    Facebook,

    Please make like a library and BOOK.

    Do it now, BOOK.

  6. MartinJJ says:

    Patent- and Trademarkwars. The megabankers with a little help of presidents managed to kill the economy. Lawyers will do the last bit left.

  7. anonymous says:

    So, since there is no oxford comma…it’s techically the words book and wall in the same context. Hooray reading comprehension!


0

Bad Behavior has blocked 5931 access attempts in the last 7 days.