[nfb-talk] Freedom Scientific and Serotek AnnounceTrademarkAccord

[Cindy Handel]

Well, for those who say that the lawsuit was totally unnecessary; unless you 
work for Freedom Scientific, in their tech support or sales area, you don't 
really know how much confusion there was between Freedom Scientific and 
Freedom Box.  It seems that if people don't like Freedom Scientific, they 
find any excuse to bash them...much like some do to the NFB.  Would it also 
be wrong for the NFB to file suit against a smaller organization who uses 
"Federation", or "Blind Federation" in their name, just because there 
probably isn't any confusion?  No, it would be perfectly appropriate.  There 
are reasons for names to be registered or copyrighted, whatever they do to 
insure the name isn't used by someone else.

It didn't come to a court case, because the two companies worked out an 
agreement.  But, just because FS is the larger company, they're not 
automatically wrong and the bully.  Just my opinion.

Cindy
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Michael D. Barber" <m.barber at mchsi.com>
To: "'NFB Talk Mailing List'" <nfb-talk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Friday, June 08, 2007 7:55 AM
Subject: Re: [nfb-talk] Freedom Scientific and Serotek 
AnnounceTrademarkAccord


I agree with Alicia.  I'm extremely disappointed with Freedom Scientific
regarding this lawsuit.
I think it was totally unnecessary.  In my opinion, Freedom Scientific
should pay more attention to developing a product that isn't so buggy
instead of picking on small companies.

Michael
-----Original Message-----
From: nfb-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nfb-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf Of Alicia Richards
Sent: Friday, June 08, 2007 12:37 AM
To: NFB Talk Mailing List
Subject: Re: [nfb-talk] Freedom Scientific and Serotek
AnnounceTrademarkAccord

Hi, list.  I have mixed feelings when I read this.  In one way, I'm glad
they've settled, and that FS has dismissed the lawsuit.  It wouldn't have
been good on either company to have fought the battle to it's fullest
extent.

Unfortunately, I feel like FS basically won this suit.  The only reason they
chose to dismiss it is because Serotek gave into their demands.  I've never
seen anyone confuse FreedomBox with any FS product, and I wish Serotek
didn't have to make such changes to their line.  The name Freedom Box has
existed for years.  What made FS decide they had to fight about it now?  I
personally think that FS is worried because Serotek and their products are
gaining in popularity and use among the blind, especially since System
Access came out.  So now they are perceived as real competition, and
therefore a threat.  FS didn't think they had to act till now.

I'm disappointed that Serotek had to give in, but I do think that all the
suit has done is put their name even more in the public spotlight.
Hopefully in a roundabout way, that will contribute to the growth of their
company.

Alicia

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