Quesoland, not Hiroland

I think this is a little different somehow. There are many Hiro's in SL and each of them has every right to have that name within their business name. If it's exactly the same business name, that's a different story. I doubt there is a similar argument for Microsoft?

SL will grow and grow (hopefully), and with it will come many more Hiros, I am sure. Do you really think it reasonable that none of them can have their avatars first name within their business name?

I'm afraid I have to side with Hiro on this one.

Hiro, I know you are at least not completely retarded, as you can make sentences that are syntactically correct for the most part, but you seem to have trouble understanding how things in the world work. First of all, just because you had the name "Hiro" in your store name at some point in the past, it does not mean you own the "copywrite" or the "trademark" to the word Hiro, for many reasons, not the least of which being that the name Hiro (And for the added humor, Protagonist) were names used as the MAIN character in the book Snowcrash, which I am sure you are aware of. Neal Stephenson could make a trademark claim to the name "Hiro Protagonist" but you have no right to claim that any use of the word Hiro (be it Hiro's Pawn Shop, Hiro's Sex Ball Emporium, Hirogun or even Hiroland) is a violation of your rights. Take a step back and realize that you have no idea what you are talking about.

Hiro Queso:

Okay, different example. If I were to make a pizza place called "Papa Johnsland" I'm sure I'd be receiving a letter from "Papa John's" lawyers.


Can we please drop the sanctimony and condescention as we discuss this issue, please?


Of course not. This is not what I'm arguing. I'm saying that I have a business "Hiro's" in SL and that does permit me some amount of trademark.



Stepheson could copyright "Hiro Protagonist", absolutely.

And, if Stephenson were to start a business "Hiro's" in the real world, he'd be entitled to trademark.

My second life name does not infringe on "Hiro Protagonist" nor "Snow Crash" nor anything of the sort.

Now, since you said there are "many reasons", could you perhaps provide more than just this one?


Again, please keep this mature. I've been more than willing to abstain from personal attacks, and I don't deserve this sort of attitude from you.

It just seems sort of like a pointless campaign. You can't police what people say, and Hiro Queso's name is still Hiro Queso at the end of the day. It's kind of like Aimee's old thread about "Are people businesses?"

Sooner or later someone will mention "Hiro" and people will say, "Hiro Pendragon or Hiro Queso?" and the speaker will clarify. It's not a big deal. You guys have different businesses and it's *possible* that someone will go to Hiro Q for PoseCubes, or you for land. All you have to do is say, "No, that's not me. That's Hiro Queso."

The land part of Hiroland makes it pretty clear to me that it is Mr. Queso who is being referred to as his reputation is in the land business. Likewise, I had no problem finding and buying Mr. Pendragon's Posecube. I suffered no confusion this week irl going to the Dick's Sporting Goods in my neighborhood for camping supplies. I found the location in the yellow pages quite easily and was not perplexed by Dick's Lawn Equipment, Dick's Upholstery Shop, or any other Dick's place for that matter.

My only confusion comes from agreeing with Buster.

Perhaps Hiro Yamamoto might have something to say about all this.

Lo,

While I see your side, my business was already established before Hiro Queso was even an avatar.

Margaret, thanks for your perspective.

blaze,

I made sure Hiro Yamamoto did not have any business in his name before I started mine. He's a good guy and a talented scripter.

The most sensible post here.

I disagree. In Aimee's case, Aimee has not named her business after her name. The example isn't quite a good analogy.

As good an anology as Microsoft?

Like Microsoft? Well I was referring more to the second part anyway.

That neither of you will ever get your day in court on this supports the "It's a game" argument to a degree.

It seems there is only one equitable solution; put it to a vote and let everyone else decide.

We already have a few candidates for what call Hiro Queso's endeavors. Personally, I'm undecided between Cheeseland and Quieroland. Both seem somewhat insulting and, therefore, perfectly acceptable. That also brings up the possibility of changing the name of "Centerville" to "Suckerville" but I don't want to make too many enemies in one weekend.

LOL!

Well, it matters not to me what people refer it to (hey call it fromage if you so wish). I haven't called my business 'Hiroland'. I just found the whole idea of somone being put out by someone else having their business refferred to by a name that included the avatars first name a bit odd to say the least. I am sorry Hiro P, we will just have to agree to disagree on this.

No one said anything about court. I was making a request to the community.


Who made you judge? =p

I made a request for the community. There's no need for a vote. Either people stop calling it Hiroland or they don't.


How about "Notasbadasotherlandbaronsland"?

Well, what IS the name of your business, then?

As this is being hashed out on a public forum, I view this as more like a lynching. I only aspire to be part of the mob.

I recognise that writing style

Hiro (the pendragon one), you have no more rights to the name Hiro, then I have to the name Carlos.
You simply do not hold any trademark to the word Hiro, and never will.

I assure you that I am new to SL and not someone's alt. If my writing style is similar to someone else's, it's just a coincidence. Hopefully that does not come as bad news.

Carlos, for the third time, I'm not trademarking a name of an avatar or the word "Hiro". However, I am trademarking the business name of Hiro. Perhaps you don't quite grasp the difference, but I would say if you must insist on this course of repeating your original arguments and ignoring mine, that you start providing some reference to examples and sources to support your argument.

I've provided a real world examples. You have avoided addressing them and instead have simply repeated your original thoughts.

If you made " Carlos' " store in SL, and it was somewhat successful, then I would say you have a right to that trademark, too.

p.s. Why don't you stop hiding behind an alt?

Hiro queso bought me a jaguar.

Hiro Queso is more well known (and much more well liked) then Hiro Pendragon everywhere in game. As I heard about him in the few days ingame multiple times, but only know of the other Hiro because of this stupid thread. I would say, that since neither of you own an actual registered trademark, that the rights should belong to Hiro Queso, since he is more well known.

Edit: Louigi's Pizza
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=luigi%27s+pizza

I'm trademarking the letter "a" as my new business name, all rights to that letter herein now belong to me.

The phonecians won't know what hit them once my legal department gets ahold of them!!

I can only imagine the special package of poses that will come with the Posecube that Mr. P is sure to send you so you may become familiar with his product. Argh! I can't call him Mr. P; that's taken!