Here are 3 articles for today:
Gaia Online tees up its massively multiplayer online game
The missing ‘links’: Looking towards an augmented reality
Three steps to encourage corporate investment in virtual worlds
Category Archives: virtual worlds
Trademark follies
I was doing a bit of blog reading at gwynethllewelyn.net and some of her discussion on the new trademark policies. Also, Tateru Nino at Massively drops the “ban” bomb in relation to the policy for the first time I’ve seen that mentioned.
More discussion at Massively brings up the issue that many of these marks haven’t even been published for opposition, meaning that that any argument over the new or old marks hasn’t even happened in the outside world. Newer unpublished marks include:
| Word Mark | SECOND LIFE |
| Goods and Services | IC 035. US 100 101 102. G & S: Advertising and marketing services, namely developing and distributing electronic marketing materials. FIRST USE: 20020501. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20021231 |
| Word Mark | SECOND LIFE |
| Goods and Services | IC 016. US 002 005 022 023 029 037 038 050. G & S: Printed publications in the nature of books, magazines, and educational curricula in the nature of instructional, educational and teaching materials and training manuals, all in the field of computers, software and 3D virtual environments. FIRST USE: 20030630. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20030630 |
| Word Mark | SECOND LIFE |
| Goods and Services | IC 035. US 100 101 102. G & S: Advertising and marketing services, namely, developing and distributing electronic marketing materials. FIRST USE: 20020501. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20021231 |
but these would likely ride through on the pre-existing mark published in 2003 for:
| Word Mark | SECOND LIFE |
| Goods and Services | IC 009. US 021 023 026 036 038. G & S: Entertainment software, namely, software that is used for providing multi-player access to an on-line game environment; computer game software; virtual reality game software; computer graphics software. FIRST USE: 20020501. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20021231IC 038. US 100 101 104. G & S: Communication services in the nature of text messaging and electronic mail services used in playing on-line computer games. FIRST USE: 20020501. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20021231IC 041. US 100 101 107. G & S: Entertainment services, namely, providing an on-line computer game by means of communications networks; entertainment services in the nature of providing an on-line multi-player electronic computer game; entertainment services, namely, providing an on-line computer game that may be accessed by means of communications networks. FIRST USE: 20020501. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20021231 |
As far as the “grid” name I found:
| Word Mark | SECOND LIFE GRID |
| Goods and Services | IC 009. US 021 023 026 036 038. G & S: Computer hardware and computer software digital platforms for use in building three dimensional virtual environmentsIC 038. US 100 101 104. G & S: Communication services in the nature of text and voice messaging and electronic mail services used in an online virtual environmentIC 041. US 100 101 107. G & S: Multimedia and three dimensional virtual environment software production services |
and then there’s the multi-class filing for the “inSL(tm)” mark in multiple classes:
| Word Mark | INSL |
| Goods and Services | IC 009. US 021 023 026 036 038. G & S: Software used for providing multi-user access to an online 3D virtual environment; computer 3D virtual environments; computers and computer hardware; computer game software; pre-recorded compact discs, CD-ROMs and DVDs featuring music, films, performances, entertainment, interviews, and educational, marketing and promotional information in a wide variety of fields; computer screen saver software; magnetically coded credit cards; magnetically coded gift cards; software for processing, transmitting, or displaying images, graphics and text; software for communicating with others via instant messaging, text messaging, and e-mail; software for creating, manipulating and participating in on-line 3D environmentsIC 014. US 002 027 028 050. G & S: Jewelry, namely earrings, pendants, bracelets, pins, and ringsIC 016. US 002 005 022 023 029 037 038 050. G & S: Printed publications in the nature of books, magazines, educational materials in the field of computers, the internet and on-line 3D environments; postersIC 018. US 001 002 003 022 041. G & S: Travel bags, luggage, school bags, backpacks, beach bags, duffel bags, fanny packs, and umbrellas; leather and imitations of leather and goods made from these materials, namely, overnight bags, school bags, school book bags, tote bags, waist packs, drawstring pouches, document cases, attaché cases, briefcase-type portfolios, wallets; leather key chains
IC 025. US 022 039. G & S: Clothing, namely, t-shirts, sweatshirts, sweatpants, jackets, pullovers, shirts and hats IC 035. US 100 101 102. G & S: On-line trading services to facilitate the sale of real and virtual goods of others; advertising and marketing services, namely developing and distributing electronic marketing materials; advertising, marketing and publicity services; arranging and conducting of auction sales; business advice and information; online retail store services; online business networking services; online advertising and marketing services; promoting the goods and services of others via a global computer network; promoting concerts and events of others IC 036. US 100 101 102. G & S: Online financial services, namely, offering a fictional-dollar-denominated credit card to charge online purchases; credit card services; currency exchange and advice; financial exchange services; charitable fundraising services; providing information in the field of banking, finance, credit, insurance, and real estate; banking services; financial exchange; financial planning; credit consultation, credit unions; insurance brokerage and consultancy; real estate agencies, real estate brokerage and real estate listing IC 038. US 100 101 104. G & S: Communication services in the nature of text messaging and electronic mail services used in an online virtual environment; broadcast of radio and television programs; electronic mail; electronic message transmission; streaming of audio and video material on the internet; webcasting services; on-line conferencing services; providing on-line forums for transmission of messages among computer users concerning a wide variety of fields and subjects; computer services, namely providing on-line facilities for real-time interaction with other computer users concerning topics of general interest; communication services, namely, transmission of voice, audio, visual images and data by the internet IC 041. US 100 101 107. G & S: Multimedia and 3D virtual environment software production services; arranging and conducting of online concerts, entertainment, and cultural events; entertainment services, namely conducting online contests and providing on-line computer games; art exhibition; computer education training; education information; educating at universities or colleges; educating at primary and secondary schools; arranging professional workshop and training courses; entertainment in the nature of conducting games or contests; news reporting services IC 042. US 100 101. G & S: Computer services, namely, providing an online 3D virtual environment, providing an online 3D virtual environment that may be accessed by means of communications networks, design and development of multimedia products, and design of websites and 3D virtual environments; multimedia and 3D virtual environment design and development services; computer hardware and software design and development services; computer software design, development and consultation for others; graphic design and graphic art design; architectural and interior design services; providing a website that gives computer users the ability to upload, exchange and share photos, videos and video logs; sociological and scientific research; providing legal services in and about an online 3D virtual world |
What I did find interesting was this new filing from May 2, 2008 for “SLCN” owned by Quality Time Media LLC which presumably operates at http://www.slcn.tv. and claims first use on 03/15, 2007.
| Word Mark | SLCN |
| Goods and Services | IC 038. US 100 101 104. G & S: Broadcasting of radio and television programs provided in a virtual environment. FIRST USE: 20070315. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20070315IC 041. US 100 101 107. G & S: Educational and entertainment services, namely, production, provision and distribution of television programs provided in a virtual environment; media production services, namely, video and film production and studios provided in a virtual environment. FIRST USE: 20070315. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20070315 |
It’s important to know what trademarks and copyrights are all about – most people of course have no clue. It’s always risky to build on top of someone else’s name no matter if it’s intended to be funny or whatever. So we’ll have to wait and see what happens with properties such as secondlifeherald.com and http://secondlifebloggers.ning.com/
I hope we can all get along, and that the efforts of these folks (which were mostly well-intentioned and directly beneficial to Linden Lab(tm)’s growth) can be resolved with minor changes.
But there’s a lot of marks out there, for example:
| Word Mark | SECOND LIFE |
| Goods and Services | IC 037. US 100 103 106. G & S: Furniture finishing and restoration. FIRST USE: 19930200. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 19940200IC 040. US 100 103 106. G & S: custom manufacture of furniture. FIRST USE: 19930200. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 19940200 |
I won’t even go into the words “Metaverse” or “Multiverse” , there’s a lot of activity there too.
So many words have been trademarked for so many purposes that these laws initially created for protection end can end up creating something of a barrier to marketplace entry. In time I’d say that these restrictions will even reshape our very language, as people strive to identify themselves with names in the virtual world of trademarks, and our own creativity must function in the wake of 100+ years of commercial activity.
Please excuse any big name dropping on this post, I do believe in properly citing previous discussions.
-MRO
Gaia Online May 5, 2008
Gaia Online May 5, 2008 at the Virtual World SIG.
” Extending Virtual Worlds: Gaia Online”
Gaia Online is an online hangout and virtual world that has been busy over the past year bridging the connections between the “virtual” and the “real” world in very direct ways.
Gaia’s own internal market of rare and exclusive virtual items creates a thriving economy which operating as a backdrop for this youth-oriented world. Gaia has attracted brand partnerships as diverse as Sony, Toyota, and World Wrestling Entertainment. Recently they have added a cinema where your avatar can watch Warner Bros. and Sony Pictures films, and you can even buy prepaid cards redeemable for virtual items at your local Target store.
This year they have announced a plan to integrate an MMOG (Massively Multiplayer Online Game) into the mix, and in case you were wondering, yes, they also have a Bebo and Facebook apps. The world has a former Chairman of the U.S. Council of Economic Advisors on its economic board and is funded by Benchmark, Redpoint, and DAG Ventures.
We are pleased to have Joe Hyrkin, VP of of Sales & Business Development to present a rare look at this booming phenomenon. Come learn how this virtual world of 5 million users engages and extends the virtual experience into so many online and offline destinations.
I’m OrangeMontagne in Gaia if you should happen to be virtualizing over there!
See U May 5 and/or
at the RFL event on May 4 being set up by Dedric Mauriac.
…MRO
Virtual Worlds 2008 New York
I’ve been reading accounts of the NYC VW show and there are some interesting takes on the deluge of new worlds hitting the net. Corey Ondrejka’s account is here: http://ondrejka.blogspot.com/2008/04/its-small-world-after-all.html
with a comment and link to this comic below by Tateru Nino which is really funny – “Whore of Brandercraft” lol. Prokofy concludes that “There is no Metaverse“. There’s more interesting quotes at http://www.mixedrealities.com/?p=118
and the one that resonates is Corey Ondrejka’s insight that: “The future is not a phalanx of walled garden, advertainment worlds constrained by short-term thinking“.
If that’s what is in the works by all these companies though…”Brandercrafts” then isn’t that the future happening? Well it is – and this is explained in the Metaverse Manifesto as there will indeed be thousands and indeed unlimited worlds with varying characteristics. Together they form the Metaverse but walled they are and walled they will stay – this is the nature of the Metaverse structure – the realities can rarely co-exist. Fascinating discussion to carry on later!
Philip Rosedale at US House of Representatives: Subcommittee on Telecommunications
Philip Rosedale spoke at the US House of Representatives’ Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet yesterday, April 1. I thought it was an April fools joke at first, but this is real.
Audio and video is here: http://energycommerce.house.gov/
Philip starts speaking at around 29:00 after an introduction. Almost the entire 90 minute meeting is focused on Second Life. A major score for Second Life in getting established as “the” virtual world. Dr. Larry Johnson of New Media Consortium likens Second Life to the opportunities that were brought about from settling the wild west, the rollout of electricity, television, and the internet itself.
Techcrunch blogs Virtual Worlds
TechCrunch.com has posted a roundup of Virtual Worlds they visited.
The post is here: virtual world hangouts-so many to choose from
They also include a matrix summarizing some qualities of the worlds, which is similar to the chart by Virtual Worlds News located here.
So now with so many worlds getting online, the question will be shifting to: Which worlds for which users? Which functions work for which users? And on to the next generation of all of these worlds. That’s the purpose of the Virtual World SIG to sort these things out for investors, companies and users.
It’s good to see virtual worlds getting attention, as of course MRO thinks that they are a model for many elements that will form the future of the metaverse.
Aug. 27 join us for a discussion of the latest virtual currency to hit your inbox.
-MRO
MRO movie review: Arthur and the Invisibles
        
   Arthur and the Invisibles book
I actually went to see a movie. Usually I have to walk out of movies because they are too slow and too long. This one is neither!
Looks like it was made in France http://imdb.com/title/tt0344854/Â
I highly recommend this one. It’s a type of virtual world in which the character with the big white hair, Arthur,  becomes miniaturized and goes into a world of the “Minimoys”.  The Minimoys actually live in his back yard and live their own lives and that’s when Arthur encounters Princess Selenia. Together they go on a mission to defeat the villain Maltazard as voiced over by David Bowie.
This movie is charming all around and extremely funny. The animation is very good and not “too real”.
It is also fast moving, it never slows down. This is what I especially liked.Â
This movie has great hairstyles. Hairstyles are always important in a film, but this fact gets left out of most film reviews.
For Arthur and the Invisibles, looks like they know this and have even tied in a hair gel so you can get the looks from the movie!
 Buy the hair gel at http://www.snipits.com/services/whatshot.cfm
 Arthur and the Invisibles book
The site has it all: http://www.arthur-movie.com/
This movie gets 5/5 oranges! 
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