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Comment by NearAP | Hacker News Reader

This is not surprising. Using 'Uber' in the name is trying to build off their brand which big companies will not allow. This is the reason why companies that allow you to build apps for their platform will have rules that say - you should not include the company name in your App.

Someone posted here on Hacker News how Android sued him for his app for making use of the name 'droid' (i think) or something close to the logo (can't remember the exact details and can't find the post)

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This reminds of the third party Reddit app that started life as "Reddit is Fun", which had to be re-branded to "RiF" once Reddit itself started developing its own app.

However apparently that was still unacceptable and it's currently named "rif is fun", and as much I like recursive acronyms it's a little ridiculous

It's the best reddit app for Android, BTW.

It’s not like he’s trying to use Uber’s name to promote an unrelated product, he’s using it in direct reference to the company. Regardless of how the courts rule, it seems pretty silly for a company to say “our name is Uber, that is how you should refer to us” and then sue someone for making an app for using that name in direct reference to them. I’d see Uber’s side if the app was for cheat sheets on exams or something, but this is fundamentally different.

Über is a common German word/particle used in thousands of app names and in science and philosophy. No way they can trademark the word itself.

Apple is trademarked, so why not Uber?

https://trademarks.justia.com/771/72/apple-77172511.html

Friedrich Nietzsche just called claiming infringement of his Ubermensch concept.

Verizon owns the "Droid" trademark and is very litigious. Wouldn't be surprised if they got a nastygram from Verizon lawyers.

Lucasfilm actually owns the "Droid" trademark and licenses it to Verizon.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Droid_(Star_Wars)#Trademark

No, that would be Lucasfilm. Was definitely interesting watching their commercials, and going, isn't that owned by Star Wars, oh there it says it at the bottom of the screen.

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