Question about an idea...

I-Promo · Mar 5, 2015

Hi guys,
I was thinking. If someone was to create a social networking website with the name 'book' in it. Would it be considered intellectual property theft? Would it be possible to get sued by facebook for it (if somehow it got some success)? Was just wondering. Looking for serious answers, thanks.

Kind regards,
I-Promo

gb · Mar 5, 2015

If you got big enough for Facebook to find out about you, the answer is yes.

Big companies have access to expensive lawyers and like Sean Parker said in The Social Network movie, even if you've done nothing wrong they'll come after you even if that means making things up.

FX44 · Mar 5, 2015

gbgbgb said:
If you got big enough for Facebook to find out about you, the answer is yes.

Big companies have access to expensive lawyers and like Sean Parker said in The Social Network movie, even if you've done nothing wrong they'll come after you even if that means making things up.

Facebook lawsuit against F#ckbook :lmao:

aliravian · Mar 5, 2015

Yes I agree with gbgbgb point of view.

anaklidi · Mar 5, 2015

I don't think so man. If you innovate it enough with different programming and offering it should not be a problem. If you are scared much, might as well just email the United States Patent and Trademark Office about your inquiry. As far as I know if you don't clone their brand and system as what they have patented it, it should be no problem at all.[h=3][/h]

I-Promo · Mar 5, 2015

gbgbgb said:
If you got big enough for Facebook to find out about you, the answer is yes.

Big companies have access to expensive lawyers and like Sean Parker said in The Social Network movie, even if you've done nothing wrong they'll come after you even if that means making things up.

Hmm well that sucks. But on what core issue? The fact that there is a 'book' in the name or what?
Its quite crazy as I think you should be able to use whatever name you want as long as its free. Next to that if a social media network has a own style (graphically), what can be the problem?

Yeah, thats crazy if they can come after you even if they have no foot to stand on. I think just the same bs like with apple and samsung all the time I guess...

I-Promo · Mar 5, 2015

anaklidi said:
I don't think so man. If you innovate it enough with different programming and offering it should not be a problem. If you are scared much, might as well just email the United States Patent and Trademark Office about your inquiry. As far as I know if you don't clone their brand and system as what they have patented it, it should be no problem at all.

Yeah thats what I was thinking of... So that means with different graphic style and structure is what your saying right?
Im in Europe, and my target area would be Europe/Africa/Middle East/Asia.. Does that make any difference?

GroundUp · Mar 5, 2015

i would like to think it wouldn't be a problem. but these big business would do anything (and have the power/money to do anything) to crush any competitor for any reason.

if you want to create a social network now it must have a unique selling point. the niche specific ones are growing now. the barriers to enter the market with the big boys are just too big now.

I-Promo · Mar 5, 2015

refexpert said:
i would like to think it wouldn't be a problem. but these big business would do anything (and have the power/money to do anything) to crush any competitor for any reason.

if you want to create a social network now it must have a unique selling point. the niche specific ones are growing now. the barriers to enter the market with the big boys are just too big now.

Hi ref,
So what would be the main reason or ground for them to try to 'crush' a competitor how small or large they may be?
Is using 'book' in the name an issue?
If there is a name without, would it make any difference?
Cause I dont think the word book is exclusively to use by facebook only lol
But I dont want any headache about it eventually.....

TeKn1qu3z · Mar 5, 2015

In these days money is the main motivation to anyone than to protect valuable life. Big people have bodyguards to protect them while poor he himself have to save life. Even the Police supports to the Riche people.

kaplan · Mar 5, 2015

The word "book" itself is not a problem, if you call yourself "TheBookOfWisdom" and be a social network that looks nothing like them they don't have a case.
There are two things here, one is that if you use the word "book" and they will show that it is because they are "facebook" and you done it to take or use some reputation they gave this word they have a case.
The second point is that if you succeed and be a big competitor they will fight you no matter what, but so would you in their place.

If you honestly want to start a social network site and using the word "book" in good faith and not because of them so go ahead and fight them when you will be big. But if you are using this word because people already see "book" as social don't be surprise when they knock on your door.

GroundUp · Mar 5, 2015

I just mean I don't think they could own they word book in the name of a social network. But if you become big enough and popular enough they could see that as a competitor profiting of their name. You could of course say every one knows Facebook and wouldn't be confused by a similar name.

The legal conversation could go on for a while. And is very complicated. I can't answer what they might or might do or think or anything.

I dont even even think it's worth discussing. You should be thinking why you want a social network with the word book. The businesses that have been successful (including ones bought by Facebook) are original and unique. If you seriously want to build a social network. Make it stand out from the crowd.

I-Promo · Mar 5, 2015

kaplan said:
The word "book" itself is not a problem, if you call yourself "TheBookOfWisdom" and be a social network that looks nothing like them they don't have a case.
There are two things here, one is that if you use the word "book" and they will show that it is because they are "facebook" and you done it to take or use some reputation they gave this word they have a case.
The second point is that if you succeed and be a big competitor they will fight you no matter what, but so would you in their place.

If you honestly want to start a social network site and using the word "book" in good faith and not because of them so go ahead and fight them when you will be big. But if you are using this word because people already see "book" as social don't be surprise when they knock on your door.

The word book on the end is because it just looks very nice and is self explanatoiry for the new users. Its just another word in front for a certain niche.
So yes it will raise some links with 'social media' and with facebook but its not content/structure or graphic wise the same.
I know that Samsung or Apple sue eachother for bs reasons, but whenever it would be such a threat for facebook, i think it would be very serious lol
But since its focussed on a niche I dont see it happening... but you never know...
So since it is kind of familiar, that would basically raise some alerts I guess for FB?

The name just sounds very clean and perfect I really would love to use it

I-Promo · Mar 5, 2015

refexpert said:
I just mean I don't think they could own they word book in the name of a social network. But if you become big enough and popular enough they could see that as a competitor profiting of their name. You could of course say every one knows Facebook and wouldn't be confused by a similar name.

The legal conversation could go on for a while. And is very complicated. I can't answer what they might or might do or think or anything.

I dont even even think it's worth discussing. You should be thinking why you want a social network with the word book. The businesses that have been successful (including ones bought by Facebook) are original and unique. If you seriously want to build a social network. Make it stand out from the crowd.

Hi ref!

Hmmm yes indeed..
Regarding original and unique. Its definitely unique, but just with the word book in it. I thought that it would be directly recognized by new people that dont know it yet from this niche and would grab their attention. Thats why..

kaplan · Mar 5, 2015

Well... this is a legal discussion but if I was to give you an advice (I am not in any way a lawyer) I would say don't open a social network that ends with the word "book". Find another name and if your network will bring value and be promoted right you will be successful with another name as well.

and yes, if you will be really really successful you will be sued for other BS but then you will have the money to fight back.

I-Promo · Mar 5, 2015

kaplan said:
Well... this is a legal discussion but if I was to give you an advice (I am not in any way a lawyer) I would say don't open a social network that ends with the word "book". Find another name and if your network will bring value and be promoted right you will be successful with another name as well.

and yes, if you will be really really successful you will be sued for other BS but then you will have the money to fight back.

Thanks for your advice. I understand it. What other words could be catchy as an end for a social network name?
Really cant find something. World really isnt catchy on the name and land either...

kaplan · Mar 5, 2015

I-Promo said:
Thanks for your advice. I understand it. What other words could be catchy as an end for a social network name?
Really cant find something. World really isnt catchy on the name and land either...

Don't forget you only think "book" is catchy because of "facebook". Before the number 1 social network was "myspace" and in the UK "Bebo", other then that there were "hi5" and "friends finder" and today I think the new one is called "ello" .

What I am saying is names can come from all around, you need to think about what is your social network niche and message and continue from there.

I-Promo · Mar 5, 2015

kaplan said:
Don't forget you only think "book" is catchy because of "facebook". Before the number 1 social network was "myspace" and in the UK "Bebo", other then that there were "hi5" and "friends finder" and today I think the new one is called "ello" .

What I am saying is names can come from all around, you need to think about what is your social network niche and message and continue from there.

Hmm ok, thanks for the suggestion.

Just found about this article, hilarious!

http://techcrunch.com/2010/08/26/facebook-placebook-teachbook/

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