Just a "heads up"...on orchidariums

[CoolPhrog]

Originally Posted by cb977

Okay folks, I'm burning some brain cells (not that there are a lot left ) on how to go about a contest/poll to create a word for these big glass boxes that we are all growing orchids in

Necessity is the mother of all invention.... I think a contest would be great and the winner gets to use new term anyway they want...

I vote for "big glass box"

[Royal]

Interesting thread. While I agree that this is kind of silly, I understand Riverside's PM. I'd LOVE for my proprietary product name to become a household word like Kleenex or Xerox, but the operative phrase in his PM to Ross was something like, "we have to defend it or we can loose it."

The way I read it, I heard, "we don't really mind and there was no harm done but I have to send you this message to legally maintain my trademark." If they wer to fail to contest the common use of the term, any money spent to get it trademarked would be lost. I'm not saying I agree, just that I understand.

I like the term "plant-tank-box-thingy".

[Royal]

What about - 'Chidarium?

[shakkai]

On a more serious note, given the wide number of references to this word in general literature and across countries throughout the world, I think it can be argued that 'genericity' factors in:

See:
Overview of Trademark Law

which states:

Finally, a generic mark is a mark that describes the general category to which the underlying product belongs. For example, the term "Computer" is a generic term for computer equipment. Generic marks are entitled to no protection under trademark law. Thus, a manufacturer selling "Computer" brand computers (or "Apple" brand apples, etc.) would have no exclusive right to use that term with respect to that product. Generic terms are not protected by trademark law because they are simply too useful for identifying a particular product. Giving a single manufacturer control over use of the term would give that manufacturer too great a competitive advantage. Under some circumstances, terms that are not originally generic can become generic over time (a process called "cPanel®"), and thus become unprotected.

Since trademarks need to registered in each country (from what I was able to find) this all gets more than a bit muddy when talking about an international forum!

[CoolPhrog]

Originally Posted by shakkai

I want to trademark 'Pleurodarium' - the tank I grow my Pleurothallids in... I can be fairly certain that at least I came up with that word first! All references found by google point back to me.

TOO FUNNY, it does all point back to you!!!

[shakkai]

Originally Posted by Ross

Can I use Angaecoidarium? Huh? Please.....

That's a mouthful, but if you want it, you got it!

Originally Posted by cb977

With that line of thinking, I should be calling my small EXO-TERRA (I LOVE my EXO-TERRA) a Masdevallium!

I *love* this! Masdevallium, Masdevallium, Masdevallium! I feel calmer already.

[Royal]

Originally Posted by shakkai

That's a mouthful, but if you want it, you got it!



I *love* this! Masdevallium, Masdevallium, Masdevallium! I feel calmer already.

Me too.

[cb977]

I think the word is just too all-encompassing and I understand that the company did not threaten legal intentions, and of course nobody that has used the word to describe their big glass box has done so with the intention of selling it BUT now that we know for sure that there is a trademark on the name, I say let's stay away from it altogether and just use another word...

I personally just LOVE Royal's suggestion...

'CHIDARIUM!

[cb977]

Originally Posted by shakkai

I *love* this! Masdevallium, Masdevallium, Masdevallium! I feel calmer already.

Okay, that takes care of the small tank sitting on the kitchen counter which houses only Masdies...

now for the 50 gallon tank that has a huge assortment!

I really like Royal's 'Chidarium idea!

[rogerman]

Originally Posted by cb977

Sorry but no...you do not ...

you own a tank, or a plantarium, or a terrarium or a wardian case


I think we have to have a contest here to create the word we should be using

Well the shadecloth is green, so i'll call it a greenhouse

Anyway, here it's 11.38PM......New Years is only 22 minutes away I wish i was in bed......nothing new