190°

Microsoft demands XBux change its name

Microsoft has decided yet again to play Goliath. The heavy-handed giant is demanding that a small venture-backed company, called XBux, change its name.

Despite the fact that XBux which helps extreme sporting event promoters and athletes find sponsors, is nowhere near the video game world, Microsoft alleges that XBux is infringing on its XBox trademark, according to XBux. XBux, of Redwood City, Calif., says Microsoft originally argued that both companies were in the "entertainment business," and therefore crossed paths, but backed away from this position. Microsoft seemed to go away for a few months, then came back and deposed XBux's chief executive, a former venture capitalist named Richard Grogan-Crane.

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venturebeat.com
Syko6106d ago

The contributor of this story plastixblue, has had to change his name to "plasticblue" after being threatened by Microsoft's parade of lawyers.

This is flexing your corporate muscle a little to hard. But hey they have to make use of there entire country of lawyers or else it is wasted money at the end of the day.

Why_So_Serious6106d ago

without microsoft i would've never heard of them

BIadestarX6106d ago

I currently hold a few TM so I know a thing or two about it. Companies pay lots of money in order to protect their branding. It's obvious that this company probably wanted XBox but was not available to went for XBux. This the reason why TM exists.
Microsoft is doing what Google would be doing if someone launch a site named gogle. My take is that they are going to lose if they take to court. They will 1 lose to court.. or run out of money.. because microsoft full time lawyers are hoping they have something to do with their free time.

Rooftrellen6106d ago

I don't see why the company would want Xbox, considering they deal with sponsers (bucks=bux) of extreme sports (X). Therefore, they wanted to be Xbux. Xbox wouldn't make much sense for what they do.

Now, if Microsoft really feels like this company is being confused with thier Xbox/Xbox360, they have every right to take them to court, but I don't think they are any more in the right than a shirt maker sueing a polo club. There's just no chance for confusion.

Now, will Microsoft win? Probably, which is unfortunate. Is Microsoft right? Probably not, becuase Xbux has a very obvious reason for their name, and is not trying to confuse comsumers into thinking their company is a gaming console.

Mikey_Gee6106d ago

I will go along with the above comment ... and ask ... did you even READ and Understand the story ??

They have NOTHING to do with XBOX, or even video games.

Like Roof said ... "X" is a brand letter associated with EXTREME, in this case sports. Wrestling has the "X" division for the EXTREME pro wrestlers.

And BUX well, that is pretty much clear.

s8anicslayer6106d ago

i thought xbux was xbox in german!lol

Alymon6106d ago

If MS feels Xbux is infringing on their trademark, then they have the right to take Xbux to court for it. I don't think there's anything here that is that unusual.

It certainly seems like an odd name for a company.... Xbux..... and I'm assuming Xbox was around first.... so....

I don't know if I'd call it bullying. If I started a company and called it Ploystation, I'm sure Sony would take offense to it. Or if I started a company called Wee.....

Only thing I find off is the bit about "both in the entertainment business". I think there's sufficient difference between the two products/companies that there wouldn't be any confusion. More likely you might get someone who accidentally types in xbux.com instead of xbox.com.

Rooftrellen6106d ago

you missed out on the Wee. Someone already has it. The Wu (2 dots over the u) seems to be popular too.

Mikey_Gee6106d ago

I think Sony should use Ploystation.

PLOY
Pronunciation: 'ploi
1 : ESCAPADE, FROLIC
2 a : a tactic intended to embarrass or frustrate an opponent b : a devised or contrived move

Show all comments (14)
100°

7 Deserving Games That Never Got Backward Compatibility

Backward compatibility works for many games on newer consoles, but titles such as The Simpsons: Hit and Run have been left out.

90°

20 Best Survival Games of All Time

From base building to swinging willies, here are the best survival games around, which include a couple of less than obvious picks.

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culturedvultures.com
100°

Former Dragon Age lead writer David Gaider pours scorn on EA's AI dreams.

"They want you to believe the devs under them are super stoked to work generative AI into their processes," continued Gaider, "but I assure you what they took as excitement was really a veiled wail of despair not unlike the time that team was informed of their new 'really cool' live service mandate.".

LordoftheCritics1d 10h ago

Publishers see gaming as another stock market.

isarai1d 9h ago

I think anyone with some common sense knew this, im glad i don't support their games anymore, what a sh!t company.

Psychonaut8518h ago

Friends don’t let friends buy EA or Ubisoft.

Chocoburger17h ago

I said this yesterday. AI isn't what we want when it comes to crafting artistry. Alas, these soulless corporate morons don't care about their work, only about cutting corners as much as possible.