Mark Zuckerberg is pushing for another trademark for Facebook, and trying to trademark the word ‘face’. However, it’s currently facing a possible rematch and face-off, with objections from none other than Zuckerberg’s arch-enemy Aaron Greenspan, who took him to court over who invented Facebook.
Facebook took over the trademark application for ‘face’ from the UK company who used to operate Faceparty.com (remember that?), around the end of 2008, and is now pushing to get it through.
Greenspan objects because if Facebook gets the trademark, he would be unable to launch other products using the word to go with his mobile payments app FaceCash.
A number of companies have already fallen foul of Facebook’s aggressive trademark protection. Though defending your trademarks is encouraged by the law, getting a one on the word “face” could put scores of other companies in line for a call from Facebook.
Greenspan has asked for an extension of time to oppose the trademark application. He says: “The possible registration has implications for my company (not to mention hundreds of others, including Apple, Inc.)” He’s right, Apple has FaceTime registered but could be at risk of a challenge should Facebook successfully register the word face.
What do you think? Should Facebook (or anyone for that matter) be allowed to trademark common words like ‘face’? Let us know in the comments!
[via TechCrunch]
