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From SEOMoz, Someone is trying to register "SEO" as a service mark. Apparently, the guy who's doing this has managed to get all the way to the publication stage of the registration process. That means he has passed the preliminary review by the Trademark Office's ("TMO") reviewing attorney. Currently, the registration is in a sort of waiting period during which people who would be harmed by the registration can file an objection with the Trademark Office.
11 Comments     

Comments

from DarrellLong 151 days ago #
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Darn you David. you beat me to the submit. This is pretty crazy stuff here. Thanks to Sarah over at SEOMOZ for sheding some light on this subject.

from bUmpInteractive 150 days ago #
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People, go to the article on SEOmoz and learn how to object! If this schmuck gets his way it can impact us all!

from smallbiztrends 150 days ago #
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More evidence that the standards for reviewing applications at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office are completely outdated for the modern world. 

If you think trademark is bad, you should see what goes on with patent applications. 

from planetc1 150 days ago #
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Great to see this getting some coverage. It's happening in many industries with individuals attempting to trademark keywords commonly used to describe their industry. Interesting to see where this goes.

from DavidWallace 150 days ago #
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Even if this somehow passed, I think it is a weak trademark that would be easily turned over. What's the guy going to do anyway if it does pass? Try to keep every SEO in the world from using the word to describe themsselves? Better have a hefty pocketbook for legal battles.

from inkodeR 150 days ago #
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Is this a joke? - I might trademark ... "food"

from dbascom 150 days ago #
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Is he doing this for the press attention? If so, why such a useless/clueless website?

from rishilakhani 149 days ago #
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I dont think hes doing it for attention - if you read through the comments on the post - people have tracked him down to some extent, but his real identity is hidden behind proxies etc - I think hes just trying pot luck - although we all know that the history of the word SEO predates his alleged usage of it, with companies that can prove that they have had literature, websites etc all using the term - it wouldnt be a battle to turn this one over.

from semscholar 149 days ago #
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You think the guy would spend his time in a more productive mode like fixing his website, yikes!

from PixelBella 148 days ago #
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Here is this guy's response to us:
http://www.jasongambert.com/

He has "successfully passed the arbitrary requirements for the trademark of the term “SEO,” and [is] now in the Notice of Publication stage."

Supposedly, he thinks he is helping set standards for the industry. If his desires are altruistic, he should work together with the community and with SEMPO.

from oldschool 148 days ago #
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With regard to the trademark, sadly the USPTO may have some work to do in investigating our industry to realize what is going on.  Perhaps someone with clout (i.e. Sarah @ SEOmoz, Google, or one of those companies) can give the USPTO an education on the industry.



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