[Cyclopath]

You can't use pure math to ask somebody their name. Software asks your name for example when you buy something online. Software is not just math.

[MtnGoat]

At mixed engineering meetings (ee/me/sw folks) you can usually get a rise out of at least one code head if, during discussion of something which will require changes to software, someone remarks something along the lines of 'meh, it's just software'

[Downhill]

Holy Threadcreep Batman! Looks like there's enough interest to hold a passionate debate about machine-learning, algorithms, software engineering and math.........in a new thread. Back to the OT. I find it interesting that the Backcountry.com CEO Jonathan Nielsen is just nnow feeling all remorseful and community-minded once he's been publically caught with a greedy hand in the cookie jar. Where was his willingness to collaborate with other, less-capitalized partners in the industry before he was exposed? In his apology, his "A Letter to Our Community" Nielsen used the word "we" 23 times and didn't use the words "I", "me", "my" or "mine" a single time. As a CEO of a company of this size, he would have had both first-hand knowledge and sign-off approval of each and every one of the legal actions taken against their patent targets. The accountability for the mistakes Nielson says "we" made, in fact, are his mistakes as CEO. He should have known better, and if he didn't see this backlash coming, he's not a good CEO. Now exposed, he's demonstrating his lack of leadership by not taking any personal ownership for this in his public communications. The actions they took cost innocent parties many thousands of dollars in legal costs, rebranded and web expenses. If Backcountry.com sincerely wants to make good on the "win back your trust" promise they will make reparations to all those they have harmed in their actions - reimburse them for legal fees, re-branding costs, etc. Undo what harm they have done. Going after a women-based avalanche safety organization, really?? Shame on you Jonathan Nielsen, CEO.

[texasbb]

Amen to the points about we/us/our vs I/me/my and the legal and rebranding costs they imposed on so many companies and organizations. And if I'm reading things right, aren't there lots of companies out there still operating under whatever burdensome settlements they were forced into before the supposed apology?

[Blowdown]

Whew! I was afraid WTA would have to rename their "Backcountry Response Teams." Hmm ... Now that I think of it, I bet somebody could come up with a better name for those trail crews

[Cyclopath]

Backcountry CEO receives online threat amid trademark backlash

[rossb]

[Malachai Constant]

Copyrights and Trademarks are very different animals with different origins, purposes, lifetimes, and remedies. Copyrights apply to work of art books, music, paintings, movies, sculptures, and for some reason software. In order to win an impeachment case you must prove copying. This is hard to do directly so you prove access and substantial similarity as defendants seldom admit copying Zep is an exception. They last for the authors lifetime plus 50 years. Trademarks are established by use. Infringement is determined by likelihood of confusion. They may be registered after examination which requires proof of of use and a showing they are not merely descriptive, geographic, or misleading. They are presumed valid if registered but the presumption is rebuttable. If there is exclusive use for a number of years the presumption becomes irrefutable. They have a potentially eternal life if renewed every 20 years.