NEWS Microsoft drops hints about Internet Explorer rebrand
about how we can separate ourselves from negative perceptions that no longer reflect our product today.”
After one user questioned why Microsoft decided to stick with the name, Sampson said: “The discussion I recall seeing was a very recent one (just a few weeks ago). Who knows what the future holds?”
Several users chimed in with suggestions, including ‘The Internet’, before an unnamed employee seemingly joked: “We briefly considered Ultron, but the lawyers said no.”
Ultron is a fictional character appearing in comic books owned by publisher Marvel Comics.
Employees at Microsoft have “passionately” debated rebranding the Internet Explorer (IE) web browser, an engineer who works on the platform has revealed.
During a two-hour web chat on August 14 on Reddit, the social networking and news website, engineers were questioned on a range of topics.
One Reddit user asked whether Microsoft has ever considered changing the name of IE.
Another added: “I’ve always had this question in mind too. The IE name has been so widely denigrated that even if they make it the best browser in the market, I think its reputation will affect the distribution and adoption of the browser very adversely.”
In response, IE engineer Jonathan Sampson, said: “It’s been suggested internally;
I
remember a particularly long email thread where numerous people were passionately debating it. Plenty of ideas get kicked around
Warner Bros takes action over Dallas trademarks Te products include apparel and glassware.
TV and film company Warner Bros has sued an online retailer for allegedly infringing trademarks associated with the popular US TV show Dallas.
Dallas, the main character of which is oil businessman JR Ewing, features the wealthy Texan family who own the fictional company Ewing Oil. It was produced from 1978 to 1991 before being re-launched in 2012.
Warner Bros said it owns all rights including names, characters and logos connected with the series, citing ‘Dallas’, ‘JR Ewing’ and ‘Ewing Oil’ as examples.
Te company claimed an individual running a Tennessee company, Omnimedia, has been using websites and social media accounts to sell merchandise reproducing Dallas-related trademarks without permission.
12 Trademarks & Brands Online
Warner Bros said three domain names—which all include either ‘Ewing’ or ‘Ewing Oil’—suggest a connection, association or sponsorship between the goods and Warner Bros.
“Tis false and misleading message is further reinforced by defendant’s
use of a banner
advertisement which runs across the top of its home page identifying the website as the ‘Ewing Oil Company Store’,” the company claimed.
In addition, said Warner Bros, associated Twitter and Facebook pages incorporate the name ‘Ewing Oil’, while infringing goods are sold through online store Zazzle.
Te suit was filed on August 12 at the US District Court for the Middle District of Florida Orlando Division. Trademark infringement, false designation of origin and a violation of the
Volume 3, Issue 3
Created in 1995, IE is a series of web browsers now in its 11th edition. Once the most popular browser—at its peak in 2003 it accounted for 95% of the market—IE’s dominance has been eroded mainly by Google Chrome, now the market leader.
If Microsoft rebranded IE, it would not be the company’s first product to undergo a facelift this year. In January it had to rename file-hosting service SkyDrive to OneDrive following a trademark dispute with UK broadcaster BSkyB, which successfully sued it for infringing the ‘Sky’ trademark.
Anticybersquatting Consumer Protection Act are among the claims.
Warner Bros, which claims to have conducted “substantial” advertising and marketing in connection with Dallas, said repeated requests for the defendant to stop selling the goods have been ignored.
Although it has successfully ordered several internet service providers (ISPs) hosting the sites to remove them, each time the sites are transferred to another ISP.
Te sites are currently hosted in the Netherlands and Warner Bros has not been able to pull them down.
In its complaint, Warner Bros said the defendant’s conduct is likely to confuse and deceive consumers. Te company wants a permanent injunction and transfer of the domain names, damages, costs and attorneys’ fees.
www.trademarksandbrandsonline.com
ADRIANO CASTELLI /
SHUTTERSTOCK.COM
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