Tag: uspto

Microsoft files trademark for “Avatar Famestar” for video game services

Post author By J.B.
Post date February 18, 2012

It appears Microsoft is working on something new for the Xbox called “Avatar Famestar” according to a recent trademark filing with the United States Patent and Trademark Office.

On February 13, 2012, filed to trademark “Avatar Famestar”.

The goods and services covered in the trademark filing (Serial Number: 85541451) cover “Downloadable software for video game services” and “Providing an online portal for video game services and social networking”.

As of today, Microsoft has made no announcement as to its plans for “Avatar Famestar”.

Last year, Microsoft released Avatar Kinect, which lets your personalized avatar interact with or hang out with up to seven other friends in 24 virtual stages ranging from a late-night talk show set to outer space to a sports tailgate party.

[Update 1 on Feb. 18, 2012 5:41am: A resident of China is cybersquatting on the domain name AvatarFamestar.com. The name was registered shortly after this story went online.]

Discussion: Joystiq

Tags Avatar, Avatar Famestar, Avatar Kinect, Avatars, featured, kinect, microsoft, Microsoft Corporation, Microsoft trademarks, uspto, xbox, Xbox 360, Xbox 720

News Trademarks

Microsoft files trademark for “People Powered Stories”, more Google bashing?

Post author By J.B.
Post date February 5, 2012
1 Comment on Microsoft files trademark for “People Powered Stories”, more Google bashing?

Since Google announced changes to its privacy policies, it has come under an onslaught of criticism from all directions including rivals.

Microsoft has already taken aim at Google with its “Putting People First” advertising campaign and a YouTube video called “Gmail Man”.

Now it looks like Microsoft may have something more in store for Google in the coming days, something that is powered by everyday people.

On January 31, 2012, Microsoft Corporation filed a trademark application (Serial Number: 85530034) for “People Powered Stories”. And as the phrase and trademark description suggest, Microsoft may launch an advertising campaign that is supplied by user-generated content.

The goods and services covered by the trademark filing cover two categories:

Advertising and marketing services; Advertising consultation; Providing information in the field of advertising

Providing online, non-downloadable software and tools for creating advertisements that include user-generated feedback and content

As of today, Microsoft has made no announcement as to its plans for “People Powered Stories” and no website exists.

One thing also to note with the filing is there no first-use date reported, indicating that Microsoft has not started using the mark.

[Update 2 on Feb. 14, 2012:. Microsoft officially announced People Powered Stories, a new social advertising solution.]

[Update 1 on Feb. 5, 2012:. A resident of China registered the domain name peoplepoweredstories.com (Whois) shortly after this story ran.]

Discussion: The Next Web, Simply Zesty, Marketing Land and Neowin.net

Tags Gmail man, google, Google privacy, Google privacy policies, Google rivals, microsoft, Microsoft Corporation, Microsoft trademark, Microsoft trademarks, Putting People First, united states patent and trademark office, uspto, youtube

News Technology Trademarks

Sony files trademark for “Xperia Sola” smartphone with USPTO [UPDATED]

Post author By J.B.
Post date February 4, 2012
2 Comments on Sony files trademark for “Xperia Sola” smartphone with USPTO [UPDATED]

Sony may have revealed what the ‘S’ stands for in its new Xperia S smartphone expected to be released in March.

On January 30, 2012, Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications AB filed a trademark application for “Xperia Sola”.

‘Sola’ means ‘alone’ or ‘only’ in English.

The goods and services covered in the filing (Serial Number: 85528680) include mobile phones and accessories.

In early January, Sony introduced four new smartphones at CES 2012: the Xperia Ion, the Xperia NX, the Xperia Acro HD, and of course the Xperia S, Sony’s first smartphone in the next generation series.

If the ‘Xperia Sola’ is actually a different device other than the ‘Xperia S’, Sony hasn’t made any official announcement at the time of this story.

So, I guess we’ll have to wait and see.

[Updated March 14, 2012:. Sony has launched the Xperia Sola with ‘floating touch,’ NFC, 3.7-inch Reality Display, and Android 2.3.]

Discussion: MobileSyrup.com, tweakers.net, Gizmodo, AndroidAppTests, Phandroid, Electronista, MobiFrance, Geeky Gadgets and Xperia Blog

Tags featured, floating touch, Sony, Sony Ericsson, Sony trademark, Sony trademarks, Sony Xperia S, Sony Xperia Sola, uspto, Xperia Acro HD, Xperia Ion, Xperia NX, Xperia S, Xperia Sola

News Trademarks

Microsoft to launch new publication? Company files trademark for Latinzine

Post author By J.B.
Post date February 1, 2012

It looks like Microsoft may have something in the works for a new publication, focusing perhaps on Latin America.

On January 24, 2012, Microsoft filed a trademark application (Serial Number: 85524272) with the United States Patent and Trademark Office for “Latinzine”.

The goods and services listed in the application include “streaming of video material via the Internet and mobile networks” and “providing on-line magazines accessible via the Internet and mobile networks in the fields of lifestyle, news, entertainment and sports; On-line journals, namely, blogs featuring content in the fields of lifestyle, news, entertainment and sports“.

Microsoft has opened two major technology centers in Latin America in the past six months.

In January, the company inaugurated a major technology center in Sao Paulo, Brazil. In October 2011, it inaugurated its first Latin America MTC in Mexico City.

At the time of this story, Microsoft has made no announcement about Latinzine.

Tags Latin America, Latin zine, Latinzine, Major Technology Center, microsoft, Microsoft Latin America, Microsoft Latinzine, Microsoft trademarks, MTC, trademark, trademarks, uspto

News Technology Trademarks

Samsung files trademarks for ‘Samsung Joy’ and ‘Samsung Fresh’ smart phones

Post author By J.B.
Post date January 19, 2012
3 Comments on Samsung files trademarks for ‘Samsung Joy’ and ‘Samsung Fresh’ smart phones

With the 2012 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) now in the rear-view mirror, it’s the Mobile World Congress taking place in Barcelona in February where Samsung is expected to unveil its newest smart phones.

The company’s latest trademarks may offer some clues as to the names of the devices.

On January 13, 2012, Samsung filed two separate trademarks for the Samsung Joy (Serial Number: 85515853) and Samsung Fresh (Serial Number: 85515850) with the United States Patent and Trademark Office.

The goods and services in both filings cover telephones; smart phones; mobile phones; computer software for mobile phones, portable media players and handheld computers.

Samsung has yet to officially announce the Samsung Joy or Samsung Fresh.

The Mobile World Congress is just over a month away.

Discussion: Phandroid, MobileSyrup, Electronista, Geeky gadgets, phoneArena and Ubergizmo

(Photo of Samsung announcing the GALAXY Note via Samsung.com)

Tags 2012 CES, featured, Mobile World Congress, Samsung, Samsung Electronics, Samsung Fresh, Samsung Joy, Samsung phones, Samsung smart phones, Samsung tablets, Samsung telephones, Samsung trademarks, uspto