+fizzymagic Posted October 24, 2007 Share Posted October 24, 2007 Today I received a letter from some scumbag lawyer informing me that the name "GeoCalc" is trademarked by these people. So, seeing as how I am not exactly in the business of selling the app, and therefore have no money to fight such a thing, I have had to remove it. Maybe someday I will do all the work to rename the application. Something like "BlueMarbleCalc" sounds pretty nice, huh? Quote Link to comment
+hogrod Posted October 24, 2007 Share Posted October 24, 2007 This is very sad.... I love your GeoCalc program. They were probably just mad because your site is higher in the google search results. Quote Link to comment
+geomapper Posted October 24, 2007 Share Posted October 24, 2007 Maybe a little research was in order before settling on a name for a product. Quote Link to comment
+sodajerk Posted October 24, 2007 Share Posted October 24, 2007 If it is registered, how come it does not have the little "R" in a circle like some of the other names on their site? Quote Link to comment
Dosido Posted October 24, 2007 Share Posted October 24, 2007 Would seem to me that Fizzy's geocalc was in the public domain before the Nov 29 '04 trademark filing by BlueMarble. The wayback machine shows a geocalc page from Nov 9 of 2004. Quote Link to comment
+embra Posted October 24, 2007 Share Posted October 24, 2007 Maybe someday I will do all the work to rename the application. Something like "BlueMarbleCalc" sounds pretty nice, huh? I'd suggest "BlueMarbleSucksCalc." Quote Link to comment
+geognerd Posted October 24, 2007 Share Posted October 24, 2007 I work with geographic information systems, which is Blue Marble's field. For what it's worth, I never heard of their GeoCalc until now. I knew of Fizzy's long before. Quote Link to comment
CacheNCarryMA Posted October 24, 2007 Share Posted October 24, 2007 How about NotGeoCalc Quote Link to comment
+the hermit crabs Posted October 24, 2007 Share Posted October 24, 2007 or maybe "FizzyCalc"? Quote Link to comment
+Green Achers Posted October 24, 2007 Share Posted October 24, 2007 ...some scumbag lawyer... You stuttered. I'm boycotting their program. Quote Link to comment
+Jhwk Posted October 24, 2007 Share Posted October 24, 2007 gee, their geocalculator is only $499 Such a deal! Quote Link to comment
+Green Achers Posted October 24, 2007 Share Posted October 24, 2007 Would seem to me that Fizzy's geocalc was in the public domain before the Nov 29 '04 trademark filing by BlueMarble. The wayback machine shows a geocalc page from Nov 9 of 2004. So how about renaming it, "MyGeoCalcWasHighJacked" since they obviously couldn't come up with their own name and likely knew (or should have known) this one was taken. From the company that claims we had a 'depression' in the early 90’s comes this... If you’re tired of using software built by people who don’t really care about what they do, then try out our software and give us your feedback. Was this aimed at Fizzy?!! How pompas! Quote Link to comment
+KoosKoos Posted October 24, 2007 Share Posted October 24, 2007 Looks like it's a fairly common name for some time...a decent lawyer could probably fight it off...but then, that'll cost $$$: 1997 Trademark Quote Link to comment
+GPSlug Posted October 24, 2007 Share Posted October 24, 2007 (edited) It goes back quite a ways. But I've seen a few applications with the "GeoCalc" name. I looked at an old one we have around, and it turns out to be Blue Marble's. Hmm. The name didn't ring a bell. Regardless, it is quite old. You may be hard pressed to find anything older. I'll keep using your existing and will download fizzygeomagiccalculatorforgeostuff when it's available. Edited October 24, 2007 by GPSlug Quote Link to comment
+Thrak Posted October 24, 2007 Share Posted October 24, 2007 What a crock. I've recommended GeoCalc to a lot of folks. I'm glad I have it. Quote Link to comment
+ReadyOrNot Posted October 24, 2007 Share Posted October 24, 2007 What a crock. I've recommended GeoCalc to a lot of folks. I'm glad I have it. It doesn't matter if they legally have rights to the name or not... They know you won't fight them in court. All the bullies in school grew up to be lawyers I think Quote Link to comment
+Cardinal Red Posted October 24, 2007 Share Posted October 24, 2007 I hope you can find the time to revive this. In any case, thanks for writing a program I would miss very much. Quote Link to comment
rwsmith123 Posted October 24, 2007 Share Posted October 24, 2007 I did a search from the United States Patent and Trademark Office website and don't see where they have registered a trademark for "GeoCalc", just "The Geographic Calculator". Quote Link to comment
+Indotguy Posted October 24, 2007 Share Posted October 24, 2007 I know there are lawyers out there who are Cachers. Maybe one of them will step up and offer to look into this gratis. Quote Link to comment
+fizzymagic Posted November 6, 2007 Author Share Posted November 6, 2007 GeoCalc is gone, but FizzyCalc (which is identical) is now available! Quote Link to comment
+coreynjoey Posted November 6, 2007 Share Posted November 6, 2007 GeoCalc is gone, but FizzyCalc (which is identical) is now available! Yay!!!! Quote Link to comment
+hukilaulau Posted November 6, 2007 Share Posted November 6, 2007 GeoCalc is gone, but FizzyCalc (which is identical) is now available! Thanks! I've tried several of the converters out there and yours has always been my favorite. Might as well have a name that gives you a little credit! Quote Link to comment
+Renegade Knight Posted November 6, 2007 Share Posted November 6, 2007 Today I received a letter from some scumbag lawyer informing me that the name "GeoCalc" is trademarked by these people. So, seeing as how I am not exactly in the business of selling the app, and therefore have no money to fight such a thing, I have had to remove it. Maybe someday I will do all the work to rename the application. Something like "BlueMarbleCalc" sounds pretty nice, huh? I have to assume they are talking about Geographic Calculator? However I'd tell them thank you for the letter but they will have to clearly identify the product, and laws being broken as well as show the reasons the product fits the examples in the law and if there are none, relevant case law. I'd also ask that assuming that you did in fact agree with their assessment that they provide a list of product names that are simialar to yours but which they can accept. If they can't make a reasonable case I'd tell them to stuff it (nicely). In other words make them do the work to show you there is a problem like they say. It's not enough to say there is a problem. For all you know they copied your work you have all the rights but they got the first lawer. In the mean time I'd file for a trademark. If you get the trademark I'd tell them to stuff it. (Nicely). It's not going to go to court unless they can win or think they can win. You can throw in the towel at any point before it goes to court. Also since the trademark isn't the product itself you do have the option to rename your product TerraCalc. Edit. Looks like FizzyCalc was the answer. I'd still make them pay that lawyer a lot of $ to answer your questions. No reason for them to get off the hook cheap. Quote Link to comment
+Renegade Knight Posted November 6, 2007 Share Posted November 6, 2007 or maybe "FizzyCalc"? Good Call. Quote Link to comment
+Thrak Posted November 6, 2007 Share Posted November 6, 2007 Thanks for FizzyCalc! I've updated my bookmark so it's once again easy to reference it for posting when people ask about converting coordinates, determining distances, etc. Quote Link to comment
gratefulHIKE Posted November 6, 2007 Share Posted November 6, 2007 I dont see what the issue is, there are a tonnnnnnnnnn of programs out there for these calculations.....from web based to open source, and why is it idiotic to claim infringement? If you legitimately came up with the idea first and registered such an idea, then you are the one entitled to the system and not the imposter. The system is set up that way for a reason, it just sucks when your on the losing end of that system. Quote Link to comment
+Timpat Posted November 6, 2007 Share Posted November 6, 2007 GeoCalc is gone, but FizzyCalc (which is identical) is now available! Well done Fizzy!! Keep up the great work! I use your program all the time for recreation, and in my GIS work. Quote Link to comment
+hogrod Posted November 6, 2007 Share Posted November 6, 2007 GeoCalc is gone, but FizzyCalc (which is identical) is now available! glad to see this isn't gone for good, it's such a handy program. Quote Link to comment
BelchFire Posted November 6, 2007 Share Posted November 6, 2007 I dont see what the issue is, there are a tonnnnnnnnnn of programs out there for these calculations.....from web based to open source, and why is it idiotic to claim infringement? If you legitimately came up with the idea first and registered such an idea, then you are the one entitled to the system and not the imposter. The system is set up that way for a reason, it just sucks when your on the losing end of that system. gratefulHIKE, I think it was the name, not the product that was the problem. Quote Link to comment
+ReadyOrNot Posted November 6, 2007 Share Posted November 6, 2007 $499.00 to purchase the "GeoCalc" (single user version). I think I'll stick with FizzyCalc. Quote Link to comment
+TrailGators Posted November 6, 2007 Share Posted November 6, 2007 $499.00 to purchase the "GeoCalc" (single user version). I think I'll stick with FizzyCalc. Me too. FizzyCalc sounds better anyhow! Quote Link to comment
+BaldEd Posted November 7, 2007 Share Posted November 7, 2007 Thanks Fizzy for FizzyCalc. I've had the 'old' version on my desktop for a number of years now. It is a valuable tool that is often used. I'm glad the utility has not gone forever. The King is dead, long live the King. Quote Link to comment
John E Cache Posted November 7, 2007 Share Posted November 7, 2007 GeoCalc is gone, but FizzyCalc (which is identical) is now available! See: slide 38 http://velblod.videolectures.net/2007/ijs/..._joachim_03.pdf Fuzzy Edits FuzzyCal® Algorithm[snip] SOLD: R. Kruse (1989) Statistics on Linguistic Data; FuzzyCalc® H.-J. Lenz and R. Müller (1999, 2000) Quote Link to comment
+DENelson83 Posted November 7, 2007 Share Posted November 7, 2007 GeoCalc is gone, but FizzyCalc (which is identical) is now available! Uh, I think IBM might come after you next claiming trademark infringement, claiming "FizzyCalc" sounds too much like "VisiCalc". JK Quote Link to comment
+RRLover Posted November 8, 2007 Share Posted November 8, 2007 GeoCalc is gone, but FizzyCalc (which is identical) is now available! Uh, I think IBM might come after you next claiming trademark infringement, claiming "FizzyCalc" sounds too much like "VisiCalc". JK Or the manufacturers of 'Fizzys' sorta like 'Alka-Seltzer' but made a soft drink like substance when we were kids. Quote Link to comment
Difficult Run Posted November 8, 2007 Share Posted November 8, 2007 Yayyyyyy! FizzyCalc® "Your friendly geocalc solution" ~ Mitch ~ Quote Link to comment
Neo_Geo Posted November 8, 2007 Share Posted November 8, 2007 Why buy GeoCalc from Blue Marble Geographics when you can use FizzyCalc? Download FizzyCalc for free! (just posting this for the benefit of people who google "Blue Marble Geographics geocalc" in the future. Hopefully this post will show up in the results and save some innocent, unsuspecting soul $500.) Quote Link to comment
TOLady Posted November 9, 2007 Share Posted November 9, 2007 Well, someone else still has it on their website..... quick, get it before they get sued too!! LOL http://www.geocomp.com.au/geocalc/ Quote Link to comment
LinXG Posted November 9, 2007 Share Posted November 9, 2007 Hey fizzymagic Put it on a server here in Canada. That name isn't trademerked here. Quote Link to comment
Ferreter5 Posted November 9, 2007 Share Posted November 9, 2007 If it were named FuzzyCalc I could hang it from the rearview mirror. Thanks for making this handy tool available again! Quote Link to comment
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