1. Is your site officially authorized by the Bluetooth SIG? Because if it isn't, you should also receive a cease and desist letter (the word "bluetooth" is in your URL). If not, then is the SIG targeting my site because of its politics? I can easily replace the distorted Bluetooth logo with something else, but for them to claim that I can't even use the bluetoothagainstbush URL is a little outrageous. They don't own that URL, I do. Why should I give it up because a "Marketing Coordinator" emails me threats?

I speak Geek though. I don't speak Lawyer. So I'm having some legally-inclined friends check on my rights in this situation.

Anyway, I find it really interesting that my email to a friend about my cease and desist letter made it to Jason Calacanis, the founder of Weblogs, Inc. It just goes to show how information can spread through the network, which, by the way, is what BluetoothAgainstBush is really about.

Posted at 5:25AM on Dec 19th 2005 by Joshua Kinberg

2. .... from the bluetooth people. This is a classic shakedown for money.... we are *covering* the bluetooth space... we have the right to cover the space, and we're not using their logo. Does anyone think that a blog about bluetooth has anything to do with the official people?!? I think not. Anyway, we will put Unofficial in our title and they can send their letters to someone else.

Posted at 5:25AM on Dec 19th 2005 by Jason McCabe Calacanis

3. This kind of heavy-handed BS should be fought every time it happens. If you have a BT phone or other device, you have a right to say the word "Bluetooth." If BSIG doesn't like you saying the word, then they should make it clear on their website that no one is allowed to say the word (except perhaps after paying a certain licensing fee). This has nothing to do with copyright (or trademark, which is the more appropriate term) and everything to do with limiting speech.

Using the word Bluetooth in this way seems like fair use anyway. I say screw 'em. Let them sue you. And get the EFF involved in this to make sure they don't pull this crap again.

Posted at 5:25AM on Dec 19th 2005 by nate

4. Oh, you're being persecuted because your support Kerry, and loathe Bush! How much suffering you all must do, and how obsessed Bush must be with your page.

Truly are you suffering upon the cross. I hope the GOP recovers from your bold, brave, and, brash assaults.... But never will it be the same!

O Joshua, the wretch! May your wisdom shine on, from beyond the bloody graveyard of the Bluetooth SIG!

Posted at 5:25AM on Dec 19th 2005 by David Patterson

5. just look at the PETA lawsuit against the People for Eating Tasting Animals (Peta.org)... or Microsoft's many successful website... it's a trademark issue with the url .. judges around the country will support the SIG's trademark, better consult with your lawyers.

Posted at 5:25AM on Dec 19th 2005 by Barbara Gi

6. Talk to these people about getting help if your use is fully non-commerical: http://cyberlaw.stanford.edu/

Generally speaking, the trademark laws only protect the markholder against COMMERICAL uses that might be confusing to the public, or falsely suggest they are sponsoring you or you are affiliated with them.

This isn't a legal opinion: that would require someone who spent some time reviewing all the particular facts of your case, and I have not done that.

PS. This is all trademark, not a copyright issue at all...

Posted at 5:25AM on Dec 19th 2005 by Michael Froomkin

7. Your personal area network is officially YOUR personal area network! Bluetooth Users Against Bush (http://www.bluetoothusersagainstbush.com) has defeated the Bluetooth SIG's cease and desist order. The addition of the word "users" eliminated any claim of consumer confusion. Furthermore, the SIG's claim that the word "bluetooth" could not appear in the URL was complete nonsense without legal precedent to back it up.

Posted at 5:25AM on Dec 19th 2005 by Joshua Kinberg