Do you think its right?

I was told that my group, "Lynden Labs Inc.", was going to have to change its name. I assume this is because of the word "Lynden".

I understand the need to change offensive and vulgar names, but this is neither.

I have a site called Lynden Labs that is very tongue-in-cheek and used for Office Role Play and several Lindens have visited it and have only had good things to say about it, and never once mentioned any problems with my use of the word "Lynden".

I'm asking for opinions here. Do you think LL is right in asking me to change the name of my group? Have they crossed the line in not allowing parody?

I don't know of "Lynden Lab" is acceptable as a parody or if it crosses some lawyer line..

You might want to look at sections 25 & 27 at http://secondlife.com/corporate/brand/faq.php . That'll tell you how to contact Linden Lab and ask them about trademark stuff.

I can see where they would be uncomfortable with a name that has the same pronunciation as their own, now that they are moving toward stronger protection of their trademarks.

In order to comply with LL trademark demands and still offer a nod to the original concept, a fitting tribute would be to adopt actor Hal Linden's given name, and rebrand the role play area as Lipshitz Labs.

MacDonalds and Toys R us are 2 other companies that pursue this sort of play on a trade name, so yeah bit heavy handed but at the end of the day its there name and if they say no then no it is whatever we may think

That would fall under trademark infringement. Any name that could possibly confuse a third party as to the origin of goods or services is a violation.

Would you be happy if you found there was another resident who'd called themselves 'Harde Rust'?

right or wrong, it is their platform and they make the rules

just change it and be done with it

The question isn't "would I be happy about it?", the question is "should I force him to change it?".

Linden Lab made it very clear several months ago that use of its name, mark or variations thereof would not be allowed in Second Life without its permission and set forth a clear vetting process to get such permission. They haven't even come close to crossing any lines here. The potential for abuse having a group name similar to Linden Lab is fairly obvious and assuming that you ignored the vetting process you should consider yourself fortunate that all that happened is that you were politely informed that you would have to change the name of the group.

Actually, they HAVE to push back against that sort of infringement. Failure to defend a copyright or trademark against an obvious infringement is one of the first steps in the complete loss of your rights to that copyright or trademark.

And yeah, even if you only intended it as a good-natured parody, that name is WAY too close to their company name for them to allow you to use it in SL.

I agree with Ceera. Find another variation (hopefully, one that's funny) but not easily confused with the real thing.

Anyone have any good suggestions? All I can think of is Blinden Blabs, which might be amusing for a blog.

My point being, make it something that nobody in their right mind could confuse with the real LL, without any context.

For a morgue or a quarry: Slinden Slabs ...

maybe for an angsty poetry group, Slife Slucks.

Sorry, can't get alliterations out of my mind. Must try to think outside the 1M plywood box ...

Frankly, unless your office role play is about satirizing LL per se, just find a name that suits the actual subject and forget LL.

Someone with an imagination and a sense of humor (two things I seem to be sorely lacking atm) please help out!

Actually, the whole site IS a parody of Linden Labs, but I suppose I'll just have to come up with another name for the group.

Thanks to everyone for their opinions.

I'd steer clear of anything containing the word "Erection".

Gah LL.
We need to force RPs on some lindens. I say in your alley, un right over there by the trash bin?

LOL

I do realize that my post dosent answer Hard Rust's question, nor does it even experess my opinion.

Maybe, but it made me chuckle. Muwah!

I think they`re within logical reason. Especially with their recent TM protection moves, it would be a mistake on their part to allow you to keep it.

Is it legal? I don`t know. I am not sure if a parody claim does or doesn`t hold up in regards to one`s trademark rights.

You may want to check out this link. I didn`t read it but it may answer your question.

http://www.usip.com/articles/parodytm.htm

I just want to say that I am shockd and disguisted that LL would do this to Hard Rust, a person who has done so much for, and possibly to,the SL community. A nicer sleazebag could never be found, and I am apalled that his Civil Rights were violated in this manner. How can we, the cartoon residents of this imaginary world, take this trampling of the 1st Amendment lying down?

I can see that the pronunciation is a little/lot to close for comfort (my opinion),But as it's a parody site maybe "Lime Lab" fairly well removed (again in my opinion).

Research Tilia genus tree.

You need a spanking.

Brenda made a funny!

Ah, brilliant! Only, would be lost on all but the most herbacious. (including me ...) But commendable word association, and retaining the alliteration as well! Ah hell, it gets MY vote.

herro... wot about Rinden Rabs?
you think they not rike that either?

I don't think this is a trademark issue for LL. It's against their tos to impersonate an employee of Linden Lab or misrepresent your affiliation with them. I guess they thought the name was too close in spelling.

OMGLULZ