TiVo is aggressively trying to stop the use of its trademarked name
as a generic term, especially as a verb, as in, "I TiVoed my favorite
show last night" or, "I'm going to TiVo that tonight." As quoted
by a TiVo spokesperson in The New York Times...
"'We do aggressively protect our trademark,' (the spokesperson said), adding that
with competing digital video recorders entering the market, TiVo wants
to keep its name from going the way of Xerox or Kleenex."
I am the first one to advocate the proper use of a company's
intellectual property, especially its name. In fact, I recently underwent a
year-long battle to re-secure the registered trademarked rights to my
company's primary product after it was mistakenly allowed to lapse
(don't ask!). However, I believe most companies would kill to
have its product's name used as a generic in its space. Do
Kleenex and Xerox not benefit from having their names used in place of
their competitor's? Am I not more apt to grab a box of Kleenex
off the shelf because my wife tells me need Kleenex, when what we
really need is facial tissue? I would think that as the market
for digital (or personal) video recorders becomes much more competitive, TiVo would welcome its
name being used as a adjective (i.e. TiVo-like) or verb.
It means people are saying TiVo and not something else. Rather than fight it, I say embrace it and even promote it.
Anyone agree/disagree?
via [Lost Remote]
As part of an upcoming celebration at the Disneyland® Resort, people are being asked to submit photos from their visits to the parks which, if chosen, will be included in a series of photo collages.
Though it may seem silly to some, I sent in photos from our first visit
with our son earlier this year. Anyone who has even taken a kid
to a Disney park knows what it's like to see it through their
eyes. Being part of this photo project would be pretty cool.
