Facebook and Lamebook settle trademark dispute

Facebook, the world’s largest social network, and Lamebook, a website designed for mocking funny things people post on Facebook, settled their trademark dispute on August 25, 2011. The two websites finally agreed to disagree after a long battle that started over a year ago.

“We are pleased to arrive at an agreement that protects Facebook’s brand and trademark and allows for Lamebook’s continued operation,” the companies said in a joint statement. “The parties are now satisfied that users are not likely to be confused.”

Lamebook is allowed to continue operating under its current name but it must add a disclaimer to its website disavowing any affiliation with Facebook, which reads as follows: “This is an unofficial parody and is not affiliated or associated with, or endorsed or approved by, Facebook.” Furthermore, Lamebook is not allowed to seek trademark protection for its name, according to VentureBeat.

This might seem like good news for Facebook, as the social networking giant’s main claim was that Lamebook diluted the Facebook brand. One could argue, however, that Palo Alto, California is surrendering to Austin, Texas. In other words, Facebook was not able to force Lamebook to change its name.

Lamebook received cease-and-desist letters from Facebook in March 2010. Lamebook then sued Facebook in November 2010, arguing that its name did not infringe Facebook’s trademarks because it was an obvious parody, meaning it was protected by the First Amendment.

Lamebook’s lawsuit was filed in federal court in Austin (the Western District of Texas). Four days later, Facebook sued Lamebook for trademark infringement in federal court in San Jose, California. Facebook also tried to have Lamebook’s lawsuit transferred to the Northern District of Texas, but failed.

It soon became clear that Facebook did not wish to do battle in Texas where a jury was more likely to sympathize with the two people from the local Austin who run Lamebook. On the other hand, it’s possible Facebook finally realized that the publicity surrounding legally fighting a website that exists solely to call you lame is probably not the best idea.

Facebook dismissed the San Jose suit in June without prejudice, which means the case was dismissed but could be refiled in the future. It then filed counterclaims against Lamebook in the Austin suit, which is the one that was settled last week.

The settlement is a bit of a surprise given that Facebook is becoming increasingly aggressive when it comes to defending its intellectual property. Facebook still has unresolved lawsuits against FacebookOfSex.com, Faceporn.com, TeachBook.com, Shagbook.com, among others.

See also:

• Shagbook: Facebook is a generic term, should not be trademarked
• Facebook kills Mark Zuckerberg action figure
• Lamebook won’t take threats, sues Facebook
• Facebook disputes 21 squatter domain names

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Social Networking Browser: ‘Social Plus’ launched on Android platform, lets …

Social Plus App is a social networking browser for smart phones which allows users to access Facebook, Twitter, Google Plus, Tumblr and Google Buzz using single app. Android users can download Social Plus App from Google Android market. Users can browse all of social feeds right alongside one another by tapping the icons to switch views. Social Plus Browser will be launched on iPhone and iPad within couple of weeks.

Irvine, CA (PRWEB) September 01, 2011

SocialPlusApp.com launched a unique social networking browser app, ‘Social Plus Free: Social Networking Browser’ and ‘Social Plus Pro: Social Networking Browser’, the two versions of Social Plus app for all Android devices 2.1 and above on Google Android market. Social Plus app is a social networking browser allowing users to access their Facebook, Twitter, Google Plus, Tumblr Google Buzz accounts in one Social Plus app. Social Plus app can be used on 465 different Android devices globally.

Download Social Plus Free: Social Networking Browser for Android:

https://market.android.com/details?id=social.plus.free.com

Social Plus app lets you manage all of your social networking accounts from one platform. Users have to sign into your Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, Buzz and/or Google+ accounts, and they’ll all start streaming to Social Plus app live. Users can browse all of their social feeds right alongside one another by just tapping the icons to switch views.

Social Plus app eliminates need for having different applications for each social networking platform. Social Plus app reduces the hassle for managing the social networking accounts. Social Plus app will enable users to manage and view multiple social media feeds using one Social Plus Browser.

Social Plus app is currently available only on Android platform. This unique Android application has been designed for Android 2.1 and above devices and is currently available for download, both free and paid versions on the Google Android Market. Social Plus app has a very simple user interface thus making it very user friendly and easy for use.

SocialPlusApp.com will soon launch Social Plus: Social Networking Browser on iPhone and iPad. Social Plus app will also integrate more social networks in their next update. Social networks like LinkedIn along with Chinese, Japanese and South Korean social networks like Weibo, Renren, Nate, Mixi and others. The update will also enable photo sharing on Facebook and other exiting features.

Secured HTTPS links to do download Social Plus App:

Social Plus Free: Social Networking Browser:

https://market.android.com/details?id=social.plus.free.com

Social Plus Pro: Social Networking Browser

https://market.android.com/details?id=facebook.com.google.com

Follow Social Plus on Twitter: https://twitter.com/SocialPlusApp.com

SocialPlusApp.com is founded by Mithun Baphana, an entrepreneur and a graduate from University of Southern California [USC] with Masters Degree in Electrical Engineering. SocialPlusApp.com is currently a non-funded start-up and is seeking funding from investors.

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For the original version on PRWeb visit: www.prweb.com/releases/prweb2011/9/prweb8759450.htm

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