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Seems like some people just getting pissy for no particular reason,,, | |
"Wake up Google... Time to die" - Ms. Dick | |
I hate the idea that familys can snarl and sue over a relative's property If I become a famous writer (an ambition of mine), and I die, I don't want my snotty grandchildren squeezing money out of people in a cruel and pissy way like this they did NOTHING to contribute to his work, what rights do they have over it? | |
That about the Sherlock Holmes sequel incident? | |
Perhaps they should join forces with Tim Langdell. That said, I've never seen a manufacturer pass on savings to the consumer, and that there's no reason for this phone to be so ridiculously expensive (going by the iPhone's years-old build cost, the Nexus *can't* cost more than $200 to produce), I can't feel any sympathy for Google/HTC/T-Mobile here. | |
On one hand, she is really reaching here and it's an obvious cash-grab. It's not like Philip K. Dick invented the idea of androids or the word Nexus. On the other hand, Google has like 95% of all the world's money by now so fuck 'em. | |
That's really too bad they feel they need to go forward with this. Blade Runner is one of my all time faves, and even I didn't make this connection. And now that it was somewhat 'strung-together', it just rings as coincidence to me and not alarming at all. So is she stating that her family has the rights to the word Nexus? She may as well sue half the sci-fi universe then. Just seems a bit childish and petty and saddens me that they would use this tactic for some unseeming monetary gain in the name of their dead father. If he were alive, perhaps he'd even be flattered if there even was an intended connection. Poppycock I say. | |
Why can people sue other people over such trivial things as names... That's what I hate about copyrighted products. Because in truth, the product isn't actually copyrighted, it's only the name of it that's copyrighted... Ugh... | |
I'm counter suing Blade Runner for a serious lack of blades running. | |
"Let me tell you about my mother"? That sentence is lost to me. I don't know what he's implying with it.... | |
Well, this is ridiculous. I'd have expected more sense from one of his daughters. | |
I think this case will be lost in time, like tears in rain... -Me, kickstarting the trend
Go see the film, it's in the first scene. | |
What a huge stretch. Get over yourself, lady. It's a phone, not a tribute. | |
I never made that connection at all, and I love the novel. Absolutely ridiculous. | |
Isa Dick? Hmm...oddly prophetic name. | |
Oh gawd, what is the world coming to. You can't be inspired by anything now? Can't wait for the Tolkien 'estate' to sue every MMO ever made. | |
I'm so immature. I can't get past the name 'Isa Dick' without bawling in laughter. | |
But every phone they have that is equivalent to an iPhone is cheaper by far, and comes with all the Apps free. Much better deal. | |
Yeah i immediately thought of that when i saw the phone. Oh wait, i'm lying a little bit. I really hope this case gets thrown out and the proposer gets a dunce hat and a designated corner | |
Seems to me like if anything, Google is paying homage to the novel. Why get pissy about it- how exactly does it decrease book sales? Its not like the Dick estate owns the terms "nexus" or "android", anyways. What's next, suing Demon's Souls? | |
They don't own the name or the word completely, example ford owns the word Focus (one of their cars) but this only applies to something in a related field. If I created a game call "focus"(something for the Wii) I would be allowed to use it with no royalties because there is no connection between the two. In this case (though I know very little of the law here) I would imagine its almost a use/defend it or lose it. Imagine if ford let someone create FOcus motors with no defense of the copyright then it opens the floodgates and invalidates their claim to the word as applied. So perhaps thats what this is, I imagine its just a protective measure for the name in its usage. Even if this is a stretch. | |
Actually, Google is selling at just over cost. Bear in mind, the systems between iPhone and Nexus one are quite different - 1Ghz processor, as opposed to 600Mhz (Different architecture too), an organic OLED 800x480 screen, as opposed to a TN-based LCD 320x480 screen, a higher quality camera (5MP vs 2MP) with better video recording capabilities... I'm sure that once Isuppli get's hold of the phone, does a teardown, and estimates the costs, they'll say it's not that much over the raw cost of materials. Afterall, here in the UK an iPhone unlocked costs between £450 and £850; whereas the Nexus One is about £332 (conversion from $520 done by Google). The big issue is that no one looks at the Nexus One and thinks, "Oh, Bladerunner." | |
I wonder if he gave her that name on purpose. | |
this won't fly or get very far. then again it is the American legal system so they will probly go to trial and find in favour of Phillip K Dick's estate. it's a big stretch tho | |
first of all that's the first time i've ever even thought of that connection and i LOVE blade runner. stop grubbing for money you jackasses. PS: love the google rep's comments | |
so damn true, or why stop there? have the estate of the creator of D+D sue every RPG game ever made? | |
This is a silly money grab. what next sue Tezuka Productions cause astro boy 2003 Anime has the nexus chip which go's in androids? I hope google take down this money grabber | |
I choose to believe that the anonymous Google employee quote is real. Because it is a mountain of chocolate-frosted awesome. | |
Wow thats funny becasue when i saw what the name was called I immediately thought "why arent they getting sued"?? Matter of time obviously | |
I don't make the connection, personally. I think they're just trying to get money. | |
I find it somewhat amusing that this woman acts as if the IP she owns is the only one with androids and Nexuses. I wouldn't make that connection in a million years, unless it were pointed out to me or I had just seen Blade Runner (and even then, I would think it a complete coincidence.) | |
absolutely nothing but hey the world sucks and you can get away with it. and this happens more then its reported sadly. | |
If this goes through, I swear, its the apocalypse. +1 Interwebs for the google employee | |
Search "Nexus" on Wikipedia. Count the entries. Now count the entries that will make a great deal of money. Now, which entry are they suing? If you said "the only entry which will make money" you are correct! Honestly I thought of Star Trek Generations when I first read "Nexus." Does the phone come with a bridge? | |
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Blade Runner Estate Threatens Google Over Nexus One Phone
The family of late author Philip K. Dick is threatening to have its lawyers gouge Google's eyes out over claims that the new Nexus One smartphone violates trademarks established in the 1968 novel Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?, better known to the world at large as Blade Runner.
The name may not ring a bell with most mobile phone customers but Isa Dick Hackett, one of the author's daughters and head of Electric Shepherd Productions, is nonetheless unhappy with it. "We feel this is a clear infringement of our intellectual property rights," she said earlier this week. "Our legal team is dealing head-on with this."
The problem, according to Ms. Dick, is that the Nexus One name is a clear reference to the Nexus-6 replicants that featured in the novel Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? that ultimately became the basis for the cult classic film Blade Runner. Furthermore, the phone runs the Android operating system, which she says serves to reinforce the connection.
"[Google uses the] Android system, and now they are naming a phone Nexus One," she added. "It's not lost on the people who are somewhat familiar with this novel."
The case may be difficult to win, however. Marc Reiner of legal firm Dorsey & Whitney LLP said that characters like Mickey Mouse are much more likely to be protected as a trademark because they've previously been used in conjunction with other products. The estate will also have to prove that people are likely to think the novel and phone are somehow connected, he added, asking, "Will people buying the Google phone hear the Nexus One name and think that is just like in Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?"
When contacted for comment, a Google representative who wished to remain anonymous said, "Let me tell you about my mother."
Source: Wall Street Journal
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