O’Reilly protecting the “Web 2.0″ name
A few of us were so busy drinking nice red wine and chatting about Web 2.0 yesterday that we didn’t notice O’Reilly attempting to protect the use of “Web 2.0″ as a service mark and prevent its use in conjunction with a 3rd party conference.
Thus did controversy ensue.
I can’t help thinking that O’Reilly are victims of their own success here. Like it or not, “Web 2.0″ has stuck pretty well as a term. Protecting their Web 2.0 conference while still hoping to keep it in popular use is going to be a difficult line to walk.
How is anyone else going to have conferences about what is, after all, a popular subject? Well, in this instance, O’Reilly are offering to let the “IT@Cork Web 2.0 conference” go ahead this time, but have requested that they agree not to use the name for future conference.
It seems Tim O’Reilly himself is on holiday. I wonder whether things will change when he returns.
May 26th, 2006 at 21:32
In light of today’s news, digg this one:
http://www.effengud.com/web21a/index.htm
May 28th, 2006 at 21:26
Update: O’Reilly’s VP of communications has this to say: “We’re not claiming exclusive use of “Web 2.0″ in all contexts. Our service mark applies only to “Web 2.0″ when used in the *title* of “live events” such as conferences and tradeshows.”
Like many people, I’m waiting to hear what Tim will say about all of this when he gets back.
May 31st, 2006 at 09:25
Tim is back, with a detailed response.
June 6th, 2006 at 13:19
…and User Friendly has a response.
February 21st, 2009 at 10:53
Great post, thanks :)
April 21st, 2009 at 21:29
great blog and interesting articles ive added your site to my rss reader…thanks a bunch :)
June 21st, 2010 at 11:33
SBS