Amiga Inc lost the trademark to "Amiga" on January 3rd, 2003

[MarkTime]

The word Amiga is simply a generic name referring to any alternative powerPC computer or OS capable of running a set of programs, which I will recursively refer to as Amiga programs.

It does not refer to the products of any specific company for sometime now, as examples I give, MorphOS, AROS, and Amiga OS 4.

So, now that Amiga, Inc. has let this lapse, it cannot legitimately trademarked by anyone in the United States, as it is a generic term.

[MarkTime]

yes and no.

I would think anyone can try, and with the patent office having a reputation for being stupid, it's hard to say what they would do...however, ultimately it would be up to a judge to decide if the patent office was correct or acted in error.

I suggest above, no one can *legitimately* pick it up.
However, that doesn't mean someone can't pick it up.

[MarkTime]

I didn't make anytihng up DaveP.

If the name Xerox had lapsed into general use
and became the generic term for making a photocopy, than Xerox corporation would lose the word mark on the term 'Xerox'

that is just law.  

Gateway, if they want to protect their wordmark Amiga, would have to do so.

I am making nothing up.  I used examples.
The term has gone into generic use, and
Gateway has let it lapse.

[MarkTime]

*edit*

I'm leaving this conversation...smiles

I think I could some salient points, but I don't want
to discuss it....sorry for the change of heart.

-previous comments removed-

the reason is, as I look into it further its a big quagmire...many groups have chosen to attempt
to protect the word 'amiga' as a trademark in
relationship to computers, but they suggest
amiga, inc. owns it, not gateway.

I don't care who owns it, and I know we will
continue to use the word indefinately, and we
all know what it means without confusion.

So, I don't want to be part of a flame fest for no
reason this morning.

see ya's.