Boy Scouts Bully Hacker Scouts Into Submission 289
b1tbkt writes "Youth-focused Maker organization 'Hacker Scouts' has announced their decision to surrender their name due to bullying by the Boy Scouts of America. It appears that BSA has interpreted their federal charter to include a claim on any and all use of the term 'Scout' in an organization's name. The litmus test for such a claim, so far as I'm aware, is the likelihood of causing confusion. The term 'Scout' is sufficiently generic, though, and by this reasoning most every airline in the world would need to eliminate 'Airlines' from their name."
Letter (Score:5, Funny)
Letter from Camp
Dear Mom,
Our scout master told us all write to our parents in case you saw the flood on TV and worried. We are OK. Only 1 of our tents and 2 sleeping bags got washed away. Luckily, none of us got drowned because we were all up on the mountain looking for Chad when it happened. Oh yes, please call Chad's mother and tell her he is OK. He can't write because of the cast.
I got to ride in one of the search & rescue jeeps. It was neat. We never would have found him in the dark if it hadn't been for the lightning.
Scoutmaster Webb got mad at Chad for going on a hike alone without telling anyone. Chad said he did tell him, but it was during the fire so he probably didn't hear him. Did you know that if you put gas on a fire, the gas can will blow up? The wet wood still didn't burn, but one of our tents did. Also some of our clothes. John is going to look weird until his hair grows back.
We will be home on Saturday if Scoutmaster Webb gets the car fixed. It wasn't his fault about the wreck. The brakes worked OK when we left. Scoutmaster Webb said with a car that old you have to expect something to break down; that's probably why he can't get insurance on it. We think it's a neat car. He doesn't care if we get it dirty, and if it's hot, sometimes he lets us ride on the tailgate. IT gets pretty hot with 10 people in a car. He let us take turns riding in the trailer until the highway patrolman stopped and talked to us.
Scoutmaster Webb is a neat guy. Don't worry, he is a good driver. In fact, he is teaching Terry how to drive. But he only lets him drive on the mountain roads where there isn't any traffic. All we ever see up there are logging trucks.
This morning all of the guys were diving off the rocks and swimming out in the lake. Scoutmaster Webb wouldn't let me because I can't swim and Chad was afraid he would sink because of his cast, so he let us take the canoe
across the lake. It was great. You can still see some of the trees under the water from the flood. Scoutmaster Webb isn't crabby like some scoutmasters. He didn't even get mad about the life jackets. He has to spend a lot of time working on the car so we are trying not to cause him any trouble.
Guess what? We have all passed our first aid merit badges. When Dave dove in the lake and cut his arm, we got to see how a tourniquet works.
Also Wade and I threw up. Scoutmaster Webb said it probably was just food poisoning from the leftover chicken, he said they got sick that way with the food they ate in prison. I'm so glad he got out and became our scoutmaster.
He said he sure figured out how to get things done better while he was doing time.
I have to go now. We are going into town to mail our letters and buy bullets. Don't worry about anything. We are fine.
Love your son,
Cole
P.S. How long has it been since I had a tetanus shot?
Re: (Score:2)
not off topic (Score:3)
Re: (Score:2)
Allan Sherman did this better. (Score:3)
Change it to "Hacker Sc0uts" (Score:5, Funny)
Aha, worked for my pr0n folder too
a better name (Score:5, Funny)
Could they change their name to Boy Hackers Of America?
Queer Scouts (Score:2)
This does exist in the Seattle area.
http://queerscoutsofamerica.blogspot.com/
Re: (Score:2)
Well, I was hoping for my organization "Gay Scouts" to come into existence without legal challenge.
Oh now you're just blatantly recruiting heteros to brainwash into same-sexiness!?
What's wrong, the subliminal messages not working out so well anymore? Eg: Making "Gay" be synonymous with "happy" -- HA! Gotcha. And then you've got the gall to target our kids!?
"We'll Have a Gay 'ol Time...." - The Flintstones, FFS?! Oh come on, its painfully apparent to anyone that Barney and Fred are "partners" in loveless marriages of convenience to Betty and Wilma. And all those dinosaurs being treated as appliance
No (Score:5, Insightful)
No, learn how copyright law works. The BAS is forced to do so by interpretations from the last few decades. Further, it's a deliberate re-use of their brand name; not just "scout" as in the dictionary definition, but in the specific context of non-profit national youth organization.
Re:No (Score:5, Insightful)
Re: (Score:2, Insightful)
On the other hand, the people you ripped off and are asking you to stop are horrible bigots with no reputation left to protect.
It's ok to steal from people whose political and ethical standards are different than yours. Check.
I dare say that the reputation of the Boy Scouts is considerably better than "hacker" for most of the public. Most people don't hate them quite as much as you do, and there are still a lot of people who would prefer to hire an Eagle Scout than someone who makes it a life ambition to break into computers. That's how most of the people view this.
Re: (Score:3)
The definition you are using for the word hacker, is not the same definition that most "hackers" agree with.
I see you missed the part where I said that this is what most people think. I didn't say it was my definition. Most people don't care what "most hackers agree with", they think hacking is breaking into computers to create havok.
Someone who breaks into computers is more aptly called a cracker.
To most people, a "cracker" is what they take out of a Ritz or saltine box. Please, really, do read all the words and the context that they create. That would keep you from wasting everyone's time preaching to the choir.
Re:No (Score:5, Informative)
You mean trademark law.
Copyright law has no such provision.
Re: (Score:2)
Then why aren't they going after the Girl Scouts [girlscouts.org]? That is a competing organization with an extremely similar name and siimilar product.
Re: (Score:2)
siimilar product.
Can't say I've ever thought of popcorn as being similar to cookies. But I suppose they are both junk food.
Re: (Score:3)
Re: (Score:3, Informative)
Girl Scouts is not a competing organization due to the 1) gender bias of the respective organizations 2) the biologically bifurcated gender system that we all come from* 3) Each organization already formally recognizes the other as non-competing entities (see #'s 1 & 2).
* I am talking about most of society - not the small number of exceptions nor folks that think they are exceptions.
As for the origins of the GS and BS... The Girl Scouts / Girl Guides, the parent worldwide organization of the GSA were fo
Re: (Score:2)
The Girl Scouts of the USA [girlscouts.org] were founded by Juliette Gordon Low in 1912. Also, I am not sure that they can't be considered non-competing entities. The BSA has a co-ed Venturing program.
Re:No (Score:4, Informative)
Learn some history, BSA lobbied for a charter from Congress specifically to get the competition out of business:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boy_Scouts_of_America#Federally_chartered_corporation [wikipedia.org]
Good old capitalism, when you can't deal with competition, you bribe, er, "lobby" various legislative/government officials to put them out of business.
The BSA is not some poor group that is "forced" to do anything here by big bad government copyright law.
Re: (Score:2)
Re: (Score:2)
You're overlooking two things. Firstly, it should be trademarks 101. Secondly, the test case isn't the average person, it's a moron in a hurry.
Unfortunately I have to side with the Scouts (Score:5, Insightful)
http://www.scouting.org/sitecore/content/Licensing/Protecting%20the%20Brand/Boy%20Scouts%20of%20America%20Trademark%20Listing.aspx
They have to defend their trademark, or they will lose it. IMHO, "Hacker Scouts" is confusing and when I first heard it I thought it was a Scout-related computer group.
Re: (Score:2)
Re: (Score:2, Flamebait)
No need to defend, the Hacker Scouts should gladly change their name so they are not assumed to be involved with those bigots.
Re: (Score:2)
That's not true in any meaningful sense. From Scouting.org:
Re: (Score:2)
Sounds like they took that from the US military's old "Don't ask. Don't tell." policy.
Re: (Score:3)
I happen to be an Eagle Scout. I find your statement to be highly offensive and very uninformed.
As would any properly-indocternated Eagle Scout.
I suspect you're referring to the whole "Gay Scout" thing, you do know they have decided to let homosexuals join don't you? Soooo, why do you call them bigots?
Do they allow openly gay scoutmasters?
Is it the emphasis they place on morals and doing the right thing, trying to become the best person you can be?
So long as that "best person" conforms with their parameters.
Is it because you wouldn't have cut it?
I don't know about the original poster, but I did cut it as a scout, but found more interesting and fulfilling things to fill my time before getting to Eagle, though at the time I grew up and moved on, I was well on target for Eagle. How many times did you go to Philmont Scout Ranch? I've been a few times, stood on the top of Baldy Mountain, and all that.
Re: (Score:2)
Re: (Score:2)
Re: (Score:3)
When the BSA changed is policy in May with respect to gay scouts, several groups began to organize Boy Scout-like programs (sans the gays). Several of these groups initially tried to use a form of the word "scout" in their name, or the trademarked Fleur-de-li as part of their logo. I think it is safe to assume that the BSA has stepped up enforcement of its trademarks and copyrights, in an effort to keep these groups from building on their name.
Re: (Score:2)
It only makes sense if they're trying to ride on the coattails of the Boy Scouts, presumably believing it's a respectable org because they don't realize that bigots have had control of that organization for a while.
I was a Boy Scout long before they started spewing Conservative hate, and have been really disapp
Re: (Score:2)
In this case there is merit (Score:4, Insightful)
In this particular case I think there is some merit. The goals of the organizations, how they operate, and the "user base" are similar. "Scouts" is nowhere near as generic as "airlines". Obviously the Hacker Scouts is specifically named after the Boy/Girl Scouts.
It's more like me marketing a cereal called "Apple Loops" or something. Generic words but I wouldn't last 2 seconds in court against Kellogg's because I'm targeting the same audience just like Hacker Scouts is targeting the same people as the other "Scouts".
Re: (Score:2)
Which is why in applications that have nothing to do with non-profit youth based organizations the BSA doesn't do anything. You'll find the word Scout used from Navigation systems to International off road vehicles. It is the context of the word that makes all the difference in the world.
It's how Apple got away with ripping off their name from Apple records (Beetles publishing company). They didn't have any notable legal issues over the matter until they went into the business of selling music. For the same
Re: (Score:2)
Are saying they're being a little too selous? [wikipedia.org]
Summary and article are vague on details (Score:2)
What bullying tactics were employed beyond "change your name or we'll sue"?
Because if that's it... I'm not sure why they caved. "Scout" is a pretty generic word.
Bullying? (Score:5, Insightful)
"I don't think that word means what you think it means".
Since when is protecting your trademarked name bullying? It's simply business. The law forces organizations to do this or they lose their right to their own name. Like the Boy Scouts or not, the problem here is the law.
Re: (Score:2)
And I could definitely see the confusion with the general public.
Most hackers are boys.
And the general public imagines them as boys down in the basement of their house and never getting out except when going camping in the scary woods with the scoutmaster who snuggles them tightly inside his tent all night long to protect them from lions and tigers and bears and Oh My! And then they figure that's probably why all those lonely hacker boys
Re:Bullying? (Score:4, Informative)
I always know when Soulskill is posting articles because they are nothing more than inflamatory bullshit.
Re: (Score:2)
bullying and business are not mutually exclusive. That IS the business model of some corporations.
Re: (Score:3)
"I don't think that word means what you think it means".
Since when is protecting your trademarked name bullying?
Ever since they claimed "scouts" was their trademark when in fact it is not.
Here is a listing of all of their actual real trademarks that begin with the letters "SC":
â Scoutfitter®
â Scout Gearâ
â Scouting®
â Scouting USA®
â Scoutmaster®
â Scoutnet®
â Scout Shop®
â Scout Stuff®
Here is a listing of all their trademarks beginning with the letter "H" (as in hack/hacking):
(Yes this list is empty, b
Re: (Score:2)
Listen, Joe: just because they could license it, that doesn't mean they have to. So if they don't agree with what the other outfit do, what's left?
This is why there isn't a condom brand called "Vatican". Probably.
Re: (Score:2)
Except that the BSA doesn't have a trademark on either the whole, or any distinct part of 'Hacker Scouts'. The BSA was in no danger of losing their trademark on 'Boy Scouts'.
The problem here is that people go, "That sounds kind of, vaguely, sort of similar if you squint hard enough. You can't use that name!", and then proceed to threaten with an expensive, baseless lawsuit (which the other, newly founded group can't afford to defend against) if the new group doesn't change it's name.
However much you argue that it's a bad thing, it proves that the problem is the law. It's how the law is written and applied with respect to trademarks. And the usage just needs to be somewhat close and be in a similar type of business, group, etc. Grumble all you want, until the law is changed this will continue, whether it's the Boy Scouts, Apple, McDonalds, etc.
Scouts? (Score:2)
I was a cub scout, and a boy scout.
I was also a Cavalry Scout in the United States Army. MOS is 19D.
"Scouts" as a term predates Baden-Powell (the founder of the scouting movement). He took the term from the definition of reconnoitering - "scouting".
I don't know about the legal ramifications, but I know that they aren't the only organization to use the term "Scouts"
Re: (Score:2)
Scouts out!
Re: (Score:2)
"I see!" said the blind man. Thank you AC :)
Turning in my Eagle Scout badge (Score:3, Insightful)
I can remember a day when Boy Scouts of America would have been approving of something like hackerscouts.org because they would have shared a central theme; curiosity, experimentation, education, science -- all good things to interest young people. It's disappointing to see the BSA stooping to such douchenozzly levels. The have apparently lost enough positive virutue I would not want to be associated with them today.
Trademark Rule Requirement (Score:2)
BSA has Trademarks that are 'infringed' by this organization's name - which you are required to actively defend against anything that could be infringing - otherwise you lose your Trademark. (This is not true with Copyrights, just Trademarks)
As a fellow Eagle Scout, I agree it isn't wonderful or ideal behavior - but if they want to keep their name (and with all the splinter-orgs as a result of their recent decision regarding Youth membership, there are plenty) and uniqueness in 'Brand Identity' they have t
You're missing the point of a brand (Score:2)
Re: (Score:2)
Not the best idea. The BSA isn't entirely united right now. Their leadership is terribly conservative - they still do not permit atheists to join, because their official position is that it is impossible for a person to be morally right without faith. They only reluctantly allow non-Christians in, but many local chapters adopt an unofficial 'don't ask, don't tell' policy on that, and there is little chance of them allowing girls to join in the forseeable future.
The true litmus test... (Score:2)
...is what organization has more lawyers. That's what US law is about.
Bullying? (Score:5, Insightful)
Wow, that's quite the bullying there.
Once the BSA found out about the name, they sent some of their older members over to intimidate, physically threaten, and wedgie the heck out of the HS kids until they agreed to the name change.
Wait...no, they didn't.
Ahh, they verbally abused the HS group, calling them a bunch of whiny geeks with no right to the name.
No, they didn't do that either.
Oh....they sent a letter, asking that the HS change their name as they felt it may be confusing with their organization. If they failed to comply, they were willing to allow the courts (you know, that group your tax dollars go to partially in order to settle this kind of dispute?) decide on the matter.
Yep, that's quite the "bullying" there.
I've gotta start keeping score on Slashdot. 1 point for every misleading, sensationalist, or simply factually incorrect headline I see. At 10 points a month my reward is to quit reading this stupid site.
While it's fun... (Score:3)
While it's fun to ridicule the boy scouts, from the Hacker Scouts own web site:
Hacker Scouts is an inclusive, diverse, co-ed organization designed to support the next generation of makers, explorers, entrepreneurs, and leaders through an innovative program that blends creativity and technical skill through the study of science, technology, engineering, art, and math (STEAM). Every part of our organization is guided by the fundamental belief that children learn best when they are self-motivated and enthusiastic about a subject, when they have skilled mentors, and when the environment supports their social, emotional, and cognitive developmental needs. In Hacker Scouts, kids have the opportunity to explore new concepts and skills, focus on their individual goals, and create community. This makes us unlike any other program. In a quickly changing world, Hacker Scouts provides a relevant, consistent, well-rounded foundation of knowledge combined with an emphasis on values like resourcefulness, ingenuity, creativity, and persistance that will support our kid's ability to adapt to new technology, now and in the future.
and
While most of our activities are targeted at the 8-14 year old range, all ages are welcome at Hacker Scouts Open Lab. Because Open Lab is not a drop off program, parents and mentors are available to help modify projects for younger makers.
It would appear that they target the same age groups as the boy scouts (including cub scouts) and even hold scout sunday events like the boy scouts. It's not too far of a reach to see why the boy scouts might say there could be confusion between the two. After all, in terms of official scouting, there are Cub Scouts (including TIger Scout, Wolf Scout, Bear Scout Webelos Scout), Boy Scouts, Explorer Scouts, Adventure Scouts and probably others. Who is to say somebody wouldn't think that Hacker Scout wasn't part of that group?
Just saying, that in this case, the boy scout organization, might have a valid point.
If you think hacker scout sounds cool.. (Score:3)
...then you effectively are proving everyone knows what the term Scout is used for in reference to youth organizations. They could as easily been the Hacker Pioneers, the Hacker Navigators or the Hacker Pathfinders.
I know this will be unpopular, but this is probably one of the less bad infringement cases I have heard of.
and next we go after... (Score:2)
Good move (Score:2)
Hackers should not call themselves scouts for fear to be seen as a paramilitary org... ...
(disclaimer, I was a "ranger scout" for some time to the great distress of my parents, but really it's antiquated, and sex segregated
Young Makers or something like this is much better, or maybe "Wizards" :-)
Fuck the BSA (Score:2, Funny)
They should change it to "Hacker Chariot Archers". Scouts are weak-ass units that die in almost any fight. Chariot archers will fuck their shit up.
I am ok with it. (Score:2)
Nouns and verbs (Score:2)
Re:I'm shocked (Score:5, Informative)
Wow, bullying, in the boy scouts? I'm utterly shocked. Who would have though an organization full of teenage asshole testosterone pumps would be susceptible to bullying?
Just because the national management is regrettably old-fashioned and very very conservative does not mean the youth themselves are assholes. At that age they more often actually live up to the public Ideals.
Re: (Score:2)
Re:I'm shocked (Score:4, Informative)
Re: (Score:2)
Female Scoutmasters are permited, unless there's been a recent rules change. There's just fewer in Boy Scouts because the women are more likely to be involved during Cub when higher counts of parents are involved and camping is the exception rather than the norm for activities.
Re: (Score:3)
Wow, bullying, in the boy scouts? I'm utterly shocked. Who would have though an organization full of teenage asshole testosterone pumps would be susceptible to bullying?
This was bullying by the boy scouts, an even less shocking phenomenon.
(If anything, the boy scouts, and similar organizations in other countries, have actually chilled out considerably since the bad old days in the fires of psychotic European ultra-nationalism. They still skew right on god and gays; but the 'direct feeder into the armed might of The State' vibe has been toned down considerably)
Re:I'm shocked (Score:4, Insightful)
Re: (Score:3)
Kid: Yeah, I'm here for the scouts. I brought my laptop.
Scoutmaster: Welcome, here's your manual of how to tie knots, a pamphlet on why you should always vote republican, and your assigned times to go to church! Watch out for the troop leader of group 40. Lets just say you'll need your pocket knife for more than carving bears.
Kid: Wait... what?
Re: (Score:2)
Heaven forbid that a private organization, built with religion as a core value, should encourage its members to attend a church of their choice.
And politics was never part of my Scouting experience.
Re: (Score:3)
It sounds like you need a LOT of therapy for whatever dysfunction causes you to lash out at these kids.
Re: (Score:3)
I was in Beavers for 3 years. I was in Cubs for 3 years, and I was a leader of Beavers in addition to being a Cub, and I was a Scout for 2 years and a leader of Cubs during that time.
I'm the eldest son from a navy family, and my father was gone more often than not. It's hard to learn to be a man when you don't have a role model, and the scouting movement gave me one. Not because I fell into it by accident, but because he took steps to mitigate the loss his absence brought. I'm very glad that he did. My
Re:Well... (Score:4, Insightful)
Yes, because no one would use "Scouts" for girls [wikipedia.org], would they?
Re:Well... (Score:5, Insightful)
The hacking group claims they are creative. They should prove it --- the next creative work should be a creative new name.
Any businessperson knows you must have your own creative and unique names and marks. You cannot ride the coattails of another organization's name without the risk of a lawsuit. A quick search of TESS shows the word "Scout" by itself has multiple trademarks on it. Since this is the name of a youth group and the BSA and GSA have trademarks on "Scout" in youth groups, there is a clear trademark case to be made, and fought about in the courts.
But it gets more complicated than that.
Both the Boy Scouts of America and Girl Scouts of America have a charter from the United States congress. Their charters give them additional power beyond traditional copyright law. Specifically, they include "exclusive right to use emblems, badges, descriptive or designating marks, and words or phrases" for their organizations which extends beyond traditional
So first off, all organizations MUST sue when they discover other people using their marks. It is not an option. Trademark holders are required either to defend the mark in the courts or risk losing the mark. So the BSA really doesn't have much of a choice in the matter. The marks they use are also boosted by the congressional charter, so any fight brought by the "Hacker Scouts" will face both the traditional trademark battle (which is difficult) and a congressional charter (which is also difficult).
The group did something any business lawyer would have warned them about --- avoid using any names that are already trademarked. They chose to pick a word that is already trademarked, and are now facing the inevitable consequences of it.
Re:Well... (Score:5, Insightful)
Maybe having those charters should subject them to being subject to certain civil rights laws as a public organization rather than allowed to be discriminatory like a private group has the perogative to be.
Re: (Score:3)
Even ignoring sexual orientation both organizations are openly sexist. Neither allows someone of the
opposite sex to join. Why shouldn't a girl who likes to camp be allowed to join Boy Scouts or a boy
be allowed to join Girl Scouts. The both should drop gender from their names and create programs
and policies that allow boys and girls with similiar interests to both join.
Re: (Score:3)
So first off, all organizations MUST sue when they discover other people using their marks. It is not an option. Trademark holders are required either to defend the mark in the courts or risk losing the mark.
100% wrong. If they do not defend it they can luse it, but you don't have to sue to defend it. You could issue a $0 license, and that would be a successful "defense" so far as trademark law is concerned.
But suing is not a requirement, it is a last resort. Or the first resort of scoundrels.
Re: (Score:2, Flamebait)
I think you're completely disregarding that the BSA is a Mormon organization.
Umm, NO! I'm both an Eagle Scout & a Mormon. And yes, I did Scouting as part of my church youth activities. But at no point is one organization beholden to the other. We Mormons do hold a huge sway over the BSA. But we aren't the only ones, nor do we want to be. We have our own things to worry about, and our own ways of spreading our beliefs. Heck, knocking doors in a white shirt & tie is a heck of a lot easier way to spread a spiritual message than trying to do it through rowdy teenage boys.
Re: (Score:3)
Re: (Score:3, Informative)
Re: (Score:3)
second only to that of JROTC.
As part of my JROTC I got to shoot an M-60. The Boy Scouts had me camping in the parking lot of a church.
Re: (Score:3)
I think you're completely disregarding that the BSA is a Mormon organization. Keep your unsexist, non-racist, scientific minded, freethinking kids far far away...
Right, because enlightened people don't want to be around narrow-minded bigots who stereotype others and advocate excluding them from activities they participate in because of a lack of decent values like... hmm... waitaminute.
... unless you're all for all the oaths and honors and other mindless appeals to duty and unquestionably of authority, second only to that of JROTC.
Yeah, no. Scouting tends to focus a lot more on both self-reliance and on helping others, in my experiences as a kid. I also find it kind of sad that you consider the words "honor" and "duty" to be contemptible things to teach to kids. The world would be a much better place if t
Re: (Score:2, Funny)
The BSA is the official boy's youth program for the Mormon church (as selected by the Mormons, not the BSA). Salt Lake City has a disproportionate and unhealthy influence on BSA national policy as a result.
Basically, when the Boy Scouts were on the verge of disappearing into history a few decades back, the Mormons stepped in and said "we'll give you a big shot in the arm but we get the reins". And the BSA said "sure, anything, where do I sign? Right here under where it says 'consent for transference of s
Re: (Score:3)
The BSA is the official boy's youth program for the Mormon church (as selected by the Mormons, not the BSA).
"All apples are red, therefore anything that is red must be an apple." That's how you are defending the claim that the BSA is a Mormon organization. No, not even "all apples", "some apples", since only some Mormons are member of BSA.
"Some racists buy Fords, therefore Ford is a company run by racists." There's the car analogy.
Re: (Score:3)
"Some members of BSA are Mormon" doesn't mean "BSA is a Mormon organization" any more than the fact that some Mormons drive Fords makes Ford a branch of the Mormon Church.
Re: (Score:3)
Almost all Boy Scout Troops are hosted by churches. The Boy Scouts embrace religion as the foundation for building a good citizen.
Re: (Score:2)
Re: (Score:3, Insightful)
Techies don't understand legal reasoning or the law.
No one with a brain does.
Re: (Score:2)
I guess you have to take that on trust.
Re: (Score:2)
Re: (Score:3)
Techies understand it in a way a little different from lawyers. They tend to see it as they would a computer program: Clear, unambiguous, and occasionally exploitable if you can find something the law allows even if the writers obviously didn't intend to.
In the real world, judges tend to frown upon people exploiting technicalities like that and rule against them regardless.
One of my favorite legal 'exploits' is OFFSystem - a p2p file sharing network which functions only by transmitting random data. As no co
Re: (Score:2)
No one with a brain does.
That is just another lame excuse for the laziness and ignorance that is exposed in most of the geek's posts about the law.
Re: (Score:2)
Re: (Score:2)
Rate on a scale of "they look identical if you're so drunk you're legally a munition, from Kansas, and had no sleep for 72 hours" to "Einstein, Hawking and Feynman couldn't tell them apart) the likelihood of confusing a youth movement with a professional sports team.
Re: (Score:2)
Not very...
But then I wouldn't be likely to confuse a youth group that focuses exclusively on specialized technical skills that are not really relevant without modern the conveniences of that electronics provides with a youth group that focuses on outdoor and other life skills either.
Re: (Score:2)
You wouldn't confuse the activities, perhaps, but taking the names on face value it would be easy to assume that the Hacker Scouts are affiliated with the Boy Scouts simply by being in the same field (youth groups), and that's precisely what trademark law is aimed at preventing. Put it this way: if you opened a sushi bar called "McDonalds" you'd get sued by McDonald's, because even though you're serving unmistakably different food, that name is trademarked in the restaurant business. A restaurant is a class
Re: (Score:2)
Not necessarily. I usually associate it with NAMBLA.
Re:what about girl scouts? (Score:4, Informative)
Re: (Score:2)
They are scouting for gay guys and alerting their scoutleader when they find them.
Re: (Score:2)
It's Nadsat and yes, yarbs are bollocks.
Re: (Score:2)
Re: (Score:2)
Badges? We don't need no stinkin' badges!
"We'll give you a merit badge in 3D printing -- the template for it anyway. You get to print it yourself. And once you can do that, you can print any other badge you want."
And the better quote is "we don't need no steenkeeng badgers..."