Microsoft registers trademark--19 years late

pr0digal jenius · Nov 12, 2004, 06:16 PM

Microsoft introduced its Excel spreadsheet program in 1985, but didn't get around to officially registering its trademark until earlier this year.

The company filed a trademark application for Excel in April, even though the name is already protected by something called common law trademark, said Microsoft spokeswoman Stacy Drake. The company wants to make it official with the United States Patent and Trademark Office because "it doesn't hurt to take it one step further," Drake said.

It may also have something to do with the fact that dozens of software products now feature "Excel" in their names. TurboExcel, developed by a New York company called SavvySoft, is one of them. Microsoft recently sent a letter to the company, demanding it change the product's name. The software giant has approached a number of others about Excel trademark infringements as well, Drake said. She declined to name them.

Savvysoft, which introduced TurboExcel in June, believes Microsoft is unfairly singling it out because the software program allows people to convert Excel spreadsheets into different formats and run them on the Linux operating system, a rival to Microsoft's Windows.

"We don't think they're really upset about the trademark," said LeeAnn Chen, marketing director at Savvysoft. "We suspect the reason Microsoft is picking on us is that they don't like what our product does."

Drake disagreed.
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Source/Read More: C|Net

pr0digal jenius · Nov 12, 2004, 06:17 PM

i personally find this exceedingly amusing

EcPercy · Nov 12, 2004, 06:49 PM

Interesting... The products that already are using the name should be allowed to keep on doing so without any legal actions being taken since Microsoft just decided to get the name trademarked...

Nov 12, 2004, 06:16 PM	#1
pr0digal jenius Delete Me Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 14,648 Rep Power: 0	Microsoft registers trademark--19 years late Microsoft introduced its Excel spreadsheet program in 1985, but didn't get around to officially registering its trademark until earlier this year. The company filed a trademark application for Excel in April, even though the name is already protected by something called common law trademark, said Microsoft spokeswoman Stacy Drake. The company wants to make it official with the United States Patent and Trademark Office because "it doesn't hurt to take it one step further," Drake said. It may also have something to do with the fact that dozens of software products now feature "Excel" in their names. TurboExcel, developed by a New York company called SavvySoft, is one of them. Microsoft recently sent a letter to the company, demanding it change the product's name. The software giant has approached a number of others about Excel trademark infringements as well, Drake said. She declined to name them. Savvysoft, which introduced TurboExcel in June, believes Microsoft is unfairly singling it out because the software program allows people to convert Excel spreadsheets into different formats and run them on the Linux operating system, a rival to Microsoft's Windows. "We don't think they're really upset about the trademark," said LeeAnn Chen, marketing director at Savvysoft. "We suspect the reason Microsoft is picking on us is that they don't like what our product does." Drake disagreed. ___________________ Source/Read More: C\|Net

Nov 12, 2004, 06:17 PM	Thread Starter #2
pr0digal jenius Delete Me Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 14,648 Rep Power: 0	i personally find this exceedingly amusing

Nov 12, 2004, 06:49 PM	#3
EcPercy HardwareHeaven Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Iraq Posts: 1,535 Rep Power: 0	Interesting... The products that already are using the name should be allowed to keep on doing so without any legal actions being taken since Microsoft just decided to get the name trademarked...