Facebook sues teacher site for trademark infringement

26 Aug 2010

Facebook is throwing the ‘book’ literally at a new community website for teachers for its use of the word ‘book’ in its title. It is claiming that the use of the word by Teachbook is riding on the success of Facebook.

In other words Facebook says Teachbook shouldn’t be using the ‘book’ suffix in its name.

Teachbook is a professional community for teachers headquartered in Chicago.

It appears that Facebook’s beef centres around the implication that anyone can attach the suffix ‘book’ to an online product and instantly claim it has relevance as a social networking site.

In its complaint, the social network giant warns that this would dilute the distinctiveness of the Facebook brand and its unique range of goods and services.

John Kennedy is a journalist who served as editor of Silicon Republic for 17 years

editorial@siliconrepublic.com