Hacker News Reader

Comment by Oculus | Hacker News Reader

What I don't understand is what's the purpose of doing this? From what it seems, Hacker Scouts are merely trying to do good. Why go out and fight that? I'm curious to hear BSA's side of the story and see if they're being shitty people or if there are real reasons to them doing this.

View on HN

But the Boy Scouts as an organization has a demonstrated history of being shitty people. They are actually quite proud of the fact that they are shitty people and go to great lengths to make sure everyone knows that they don't intend to stop being shitty people. They view their bigotry and ignorance as a badge of honor, and until they stop, I for one am not interested in anything they have to say.

There can't be a logical explanation for trying to harm an organization that helps children unless they are intentionally trying to impersonate the BSA.

I have to assume that even with the special privileges mentioned in tingletech's Wikipedia find, they are still required to actively use and protect the trademark, or otherwise be vulnerable to dilution. If they don't defend the trademark from everyone (regardless of whether the everyone has good intentions), they lose it. They don't really have much choice in the matter outside of documented legal action.

(IANAL)

All corps fight to protect their trademarks, even when the 3rd party use is beneficial. If they don't rigorously defend them it could weaken the trademark and they could lose it in the future.

See the Red Cross forcing id Software to change the red crosses on medpacks to pills. I mean who gives a shit, on any level? But some enforcement lawyer got a bug up their butt and they are paid to do this exact thing.

One of the many reasons I don't donate to Red Cross, actually. Too much money on advertising and lawyers.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com