Sphinn - “SEO” to Become a Trademark?

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“SEO” to Become a Trademark? - WebProNews Video Update

Went Hot: April 17, 2008 - 2:47 am
Posted By: DavidWallace 443 days ago
Topic Type: News Story (Jump to http://videos.webpronews.com)
Category: SEM Industry

The online community has been in an uproar since the news that someone is in the process of obtaining a trademark for the term “SEO.” Jason Gambert of Modern Consulting Solutions has gained approval from the Trademark Office and is now moving toward publication. WebProNews Reporter Abby Prince talked with Sarah Bird, Esquire, of SEOmoz, Inc., who happened upon the news as she was working on trademarks for SEOmoz. Find out the latest in the case including Gambert’s response to the community and how you can file a Notice of Opposition.

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from SportsGuy 443 days ago # - show/hide this comment

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...or we can begin calling it something else - like website optimization work (WOW!) or webpage optimization tips (wot - sucks, I know... :( )

I recall an olde conversation that SEO wasn't really the most directly applicable description for the work most of us do these days - and looking forward, it stands to change even more.

I know in my day, to actually get "seo" done, I spend more time tripping over so many other things that I'd class as "product management" that it's a wonder any "seo" ever gets done.

Let's face it - the work we do impacts far more than just rankings in search engines:

1 - resource allocation on the programming side
2 - finance - direct to revenue
3 - business development & partnership management
4 - site taxonomies
5 - content development
etc., etc.

To continue to call what we as "SEOs" do as "SEO is a bit narrow of focus, IMO.

But, so it shall be I suppose - in the larger scope of the world, even SEO is still mostly unknown...LOL

I say go ahead, get the trademark - and enjoy the ride trying to enforce it everywhere, because having the mark is one thing, being able to enforce it, well, that's another thing completely - and if you don't inforce those things vigorously, well, you kind of shoot yourself in the foot then.

from Jeeb90 443 days ago #

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Is this Jason Gambert person Microsoft in disguise? They're the ones obsessed with trademarking nonsensical things. I thought you couldn't trademark something if it would clearly cause confusion in the marketplace. Not sure what Gambert is thinking, but he won't be able to squash any of the domains with SEO in the domain name because they existed prior to the trademark. Maybe Gambert should be brought into a water-boarding room....hahaa.

from PocketSEO 443 days ago #

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Sounds interesting -- too bad it's a video. I can't watch it here.

from mike.tekula 443 days ago #

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^ Same here, PocketSEO.

I'm definitely not worried about Mr. Gamberts aspirations to trademark the term 'SEO.' He's taking advantage of the fact that those in control of the situation are under-informed. It'll never stick, he's wasting his time/money. If I were him I'd put my efforts to more fruitful pursuits, like building a website that isn't entirely Flash-driven and tacky.

from DarkMatter 443 days ago #

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meh. so I'm a search engine marketer then.

from incrediblehelp 443 days ago #

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Teh video is actually really good, with timelines and great background info on how all of this came together.

from PixelBella 442 days ago #

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Make sure to read the comment on WebProNews by a user called, "Man you all need to calm down" - Does this make us see the light?
SEO Trademark Video Comments

Hurray for ArteWorks SEO for also filing an opposition!

from SearchSavior 442 days ago # - show/hide this comment

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Pixel,

I read that, I like the guy on the bottom's response. Guy has a point, I would like to see Danny Sullivan etc. Be on the board.....

What about you?