From: autodesk!tengu!carlt@fernwood.mpk.ca.us (Carl Tollander)
Subject: Re: we need a new name
Date: Mon, 4 Feb 91 12:46:13 PST




Concerning the recent "we need a new name" thread, I have several comments.

1. Autodesk has officially abandoned the trademark registration application
   for "Cyberspace".  If you examine the trademark office records, you may
   still find some traces of the original application.   The decision to
   abandon was made some time ago, and we trust that the community understands
   that sometimes it takes awhile for decisions like this to work their way
   through the process.  We have tried for many months to make our
   intention known to anyone who asked.  "Cyberspace" is for all.

2. Autodesk neither posesses a trademark, nor intends to trademark the word
   "deck".

3. It is the intention of the Autodesk cyberspace group that simple technical
   and descriptive terms in common use in the virtual reality field should
   not be trademarked.  To do so would be a disservice to clear technical 
   discussion.  We strongly support efforts by the community to dissuade others
   from trademarking these terms.

   On the other hand, trademarks CONTAINING technical terms should be fair
   game, e.g. "Jungleman Joe's Virtual Deck", "Cyberspace Madness", etc.

Rumors surrounding our trademark activity seem to come up every couple of
months on the net and at conferences.  I hope this note helps set those
rumors to rest.

                        Carl Tollander
                        Chief Scientist
                        Autodesk cyberspace group
                        email: carlt@autodesk.com