Web x, where x != 2.0

Regarding the O’Reilly/CMP “Web 2.0 (SM)” trademark shitstorm, Sean McGrath humourously suggested a workaround — using a different revision number instead of “2.0″, specifically e, 2.71….

However, it’s not quite that simple in many jurisdictions, apparently. It seems that trademark law — in the US, at least — allows trademarks which include a number to also cover uses within roughly plus or minus 10 of that number. In other words, CMP’s application will cover the range from Web -8.0 (SM) (assuming negative numbers are included?) to Web 12.0 (SM).

So much for “Web 3.0″, “Web 2.1″, “Web 2.71…”, and so on. Back to the drawing board, Sean! ;)

(disclaimer: IANAL, of course. Credit to Craig for that tidbit.)

Update: doh, got the value of e wrong…

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‘Spam Kings’ review

Spam: Before xmas, I received a copy of Brian McWilliams‘ new book, Spam Kings.

It’s a great book — full of behind-the-scenes details on how the spammers operate, how they get away with it on the sending end, how they try to evade filters on the receiving end, and how they’re fundamentally running the usual simple scams that have been around since before email spam came into existence. Well worth reading.

In addition, Brian’s continuing to write about spam and spammers at the Spam Kings weblog, and will be giving a talk at this year’s MIT Spam Conference, tomorrow.

Anyway, pick up a copy if you’re interested in the spam problem — this is one of the best books I’ve read on the subject, and this kind of information is essential for an understanding of the people we’re up against.

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