Arizona PC builder that applied for Meta trademark says Facebook can buy the name for...

[midian182]

In brief: Facebook changing its corporate name to Meta could cost the company more than expected. An Arizona firm called Meta PCs that sells laptops, accessories, and customized rigs already applied to trademark the "Meta" name in August but is willing to sell it to Zuckerberg and co. for $20 million.

Last week saw Facebook confirm rumors that it is changing its name. While the social media platform retains the Facebook brand, the company itself is now called Meta, named after the idea of a VR/AR metaverse that Zuckerberg has been talking about for a while.

But Meta/Facebook could face problems beyond the name change failing to distract people from its slew of recent bad press. According to a document shared by TMZ, Arizona firm Meta PCs filed a trademark for the Meta name in August, just over a year after it started trading.

A couple of Meta PCs' PCs that have nothing to do with Facebook's Metaverse-inspired Meta

Meta PCs co-founder Zack Shutt told The Guardian that the company was registered in November last year, and none of the team was aware of Facebook's plans to rebrand as Meta until last week. Both Shutt and co-founder Joe Darger say they won't sell the name for anything less than $20 million.

Meta PCs' trademark application, courtesy of TMZ

A TMZ source said that Facebook believes they have the necessary rights to acquire the name, and it's noted that Meta PCs' trademark petition hasn't yet been granted. There are also plenty of legal loopholes a multi-billion company such as Facebook could exploit if needed, such as filing an application in another country and using that application date to file in the US.

an announcement regarding our new name from our founder @zackshutt pic.twitter.com/I7tofqPa6Z

— META PCs (@METAPCs) October 28, 2021

In a mocking tweet, Shutt posted a video similar to the one Zuckerberg made in which the billionaire announced the name change. In Shutt's clip, he states that Meta PCs is "now Facebook."

Permalink to story.

https://www.techspot.com/news/92036-arizona-pc-builder-applied-meta-trademark-facebook-can.html

 

[elementalSG]

Given it is Facebook, they should ask for even more than $20 million

 

[Dimitriid]

20 million guys? You should have asked for at least 100-200 to the Zuck you might as well have asked for a penny.

 

[Phaetos]

I used to listen to his podcast every week, Dopetek Podcast. I didn't realize that he was the one that started Meta PC's. He's also one of the guys that started Player One Coffee. $20mil will do ALOT to grow the business, no need to get extremely greedy and force Zuck's hand to do something legally underhanded to get what he wants, just price it for a decent amount, get paid and everyone be happy.

 

[Yenega]

SUCKERBERG

 

[HotToz]

$20 million guys, why didnt you ask a peanuts bag? (sarcasm)
You just have facebook in your hand, you can easily ask 10 times more

 

[Steveb8189]

You guys are having a laugh. Facebook aren't going to pay a penny. They've gone in at $20m in the hope it will be slightly cheaper to pay them than to file the lawsuit. Any more and Facebook would just outspend them in court.

 

[hahahanoobs]

I don't know what to say. My first thought was, "Why wouldn't they secure the name first?"
And then, "Why am I even trying to understand these people?!"

This is a strange story.

 

[wiyosaya]

You guys are having a laugh. Facebook aren't going to pay a penny. They've gone in at $20m in the hope it will be slightly cheaper to pay them than to file the lawsuit. Any more and Facebook would just outspend them in court.

The Goliath companies do not always win their trademark cases just because they are Goliaths. McDonald's, for instance, has lost cases for trademark infringement. https://www.forbes.com/sites/mahmoo...lds-global-trademark-battles/?sh=652973cb1f41
If the company is a David, IMO, it is worth fighting the Goliaths of the world because letting the Goliaths win is just bowing down to those who pretend that they are the only companies that matter, and, IMO, every small company loses something by letting the Goliaths win without a fight.

 

[wiyosaya]

I don't know what to say. My first thought was, "Why wouldn't they secure the name first?"
And then, "Why am I even trying to understand these people?!"

This is a strange story.

They are Fakebook, and as such, have an inflated corporate ego.

 

[nodfor]

Meta PCs is different from META (an extra acronym is added)

Good chance of the lawsuit getting dismissed immediately.

 

[Fox God Records]

Meta PCs is different from META (an extra acronym is added)

Good chance of the lawsuit getting dismissed immediately.

That's the company name, yes. But the image from TMZ says that the ™ is for META alone, without the PCs. And seeing that the application relates to both hardware and software. . . Facebook should take the buyout. If they try to sue, META PCs can ask for more cash AND legal fees.

So:
1) Pay the ransom
2) Sweep the whole issue under the rug
3) . . .
4) PROFIT!

 

[zulu53]

I used to listen to his podcast every week, Dopetek Podcast. I didn't realize that he was the one that started Meta PC's. He's also one of the guys that started Player One Coffee. $20mil will do ALOT to grow the business, no need to get extremely greedy and force Zuck's hand to do something legally underhanded to get what he wants, just price it for a decent amount, get paid and everyone be happy.

Zuck has a mental condition (clinically called a "God Complex"). This condition will not allow him to pay someone else for the uniqueness of "his" company name. He would rather spend millions on lawyers than look like he shouldn't be gifted the name. He could have reseaching the name rights and just buoght them before the official name change, as he could have done it for a few million. But God expects "gifts" from his people.

 

[GeforcerFX]

Since the company doesn't own the trademark yet they prob have an uphill battle, I doubt facebook will pay them $20 million for a name that's essentially in legal limbo. I could also see facebook arguing that meta is a common word/phrase and can't be trademarked.

 

[zulu53]

Since the company doesn't own the trademark yet they prob have an uphill battle, I doubt facebook will pay them $20 million for a name that's essentially in legal limbo. I could also see facebook arguing that meta is a common word/phrase and can't be trademarked.

It is not really in legal limbo at all. Premeditation in this case is a valid argument for the application to be approved PRIOR to any other claims being allowed. As the article pointed out, the Arizona firm made it clear that they has initiated their claim to the name way, way prior to any indication that FB would want the name. Based on this they have first claim not FB. While the "wheels are in motion" of the trademark process are still going round and round this claim still stands supreme. Of course the Trademark office could still deny their claim and award it to FB: but I am sure there would be many claims of corruption (money moving from FB to TM Officers) made against them if they did this without iron-clad justification.

 

[RudyBob]

Yep FB takes them to court

 

[kiwigraeme]

Good BBQ country Arizona - Zuck should supply him with a lifetime supply of META BBQ sauce .

Don't these court cases depend on intentions. Ie if only down to make FB pay -then court can give verdict to FB
But if it's a real business then FB needs to pay.

with urls- and payment slips - court normally favours incumbent - not sure if relevant here .

Maybe FB has to show a chain of info from FB to this guy

 

[Austinturner]

Yep FB takes them to court

On what grounds?

 

[Uncle Al]

LOL ..... oh, I wouldn't let them off THAT easy, especially since they already launched it. Naaaaaa . ... a billion, maybe 2 ..... that's what it's worth to Smucerburg .....

 

[RudyBob]

On what grounds?

They don't need grounds. They have money and can come up with something that will cost Joe Blow. Simple really

 

[Austinturner]

They don't need grounds. They have money and can come up with something that will cost Joe Blow. Simple really

I mean, sometimes, but courts also dismiss lawsuits and money doesn’t always win

 

[cliffordcooley]

Tell FB the price doubles each month they delay in paying.

 

[Ludak021]

Zuck has a mental condition (clinically called a "God Complex"). This condition will not allow him to pay someone else for the uniqueness of "his" company name. He would rather spend millions on lawyers than look like he shouldn't be gifted the name. He could have reseaching the name rights and just buoght them before the official name change, as he could have done it for a few million. But God expects "gifts" from his people.

of course, because spending millions on lawyers is tax deductible. Cook it a little bit and state will end up paying you instead.

 

[Steveb8189]

The Goliath companies do not always win their trademark cases just because they are Goliaths. McDonald's, for instance, has lost cases for trademark infringement. https://www.forbes.com/sites/mahmoo...lds-global-trademark-battles/?sh=652973cb1f41
If the company is a David, IMO, it is worth fighting the Goliaths of the world because letting the Goliaths win is just bowing down to those who pretend that they are the only companies that matter, and, IMO, every small company loses something by letting the Goliaths win without a fight.

That example is the other way round. McDonalds were trying to stop the Irish company using the name. In that case nobody won/lost. Both companies can continue to use the name and no money went either way. Am I missing something?

 

[Nobina]

They can assassinate him for far less.