Nonpleasant Linkedin Lessons: Lesson 1 of 10: "Your Infringement of LinkedIn Corporation's Trademark (SECOND NOTICE)"

ISSUE #1: By now, many of you know a significant amount about my
recent travails with Linkedin Corporation, descending from virtually
full-time evangelist to apparently an irredeemable Linkedin outlaw of
some sort. To say that my relationship with Linkedin seems like
going though a marital divorce comparable to The War Of The Roses
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_War_...) would be the
understatement of understatements. As with most human divorces, my
divorce with Linkedin is largely a mixture of 1.) perception and 2.)
reality. Apparently, Linkedin has the perception that I've done
something to damage their brand or that I've intentionally brought
harm to their marketing efforts and growth in some way. Whether or
not Linkedin has ground to stand on, the reality is that Linkedin has
taken action against me and my long-time grassroots efforts - ranging
from silly slaps on my hand to sending nonsensical notes to me via
their Brand Enforcement email address (brand_enforcement@linkedin.com)
such as the one forwarded below.

QUESTION #1: If Linkedin was concerned about my abusing its
trademark/brand, why did Linkedin Corporation approve the group called
"My Linkedin Power Forum" ON Linkedin.com on July 15, 2005 and permit
it to group to 8,000 members - ON THEIR SITE?

QUESTION #2: If Linkedin were convinced that my efforts were
detrimental to their company in any way, shape, or form why did they
send me one of their vaunted Linkedin cups? (Actually, the cup they
sent me was kinda nice - attractive, even...)

QUESTION #3: Can any of you find evidence of my doing anything
regarding Linkedin without being fully transparent about it over the
past 3 years?

QUESTION #4: With Linkedin's flirtation with me and the hundreds of
Linkedin-centric groups I created from 2005-2008, is Linkedin
guiltless in causing our current misunderstandings? (Forgetting me
for the moment: what about all the books, blogs, and groups countless
other men and women started? Books, blogs, and groups in which
Linkedin readily, freely participated - until they decided they no
longer cared about those early evangelists...)

NONPLEASANT LINKEDIN LESSON #1: I encourage you to pay attention to
what I've learned: DON'T GET TOO CLOSE TO THE PEOPLE/PLATFORM/COMPANY
YOU GET EXCITED ABOUT. Why? I submit for your consideration the
un-retouched letter from Linkedin Brand Enforcement, below - By the
way: you'll detect not one whit of social networking prowess,
courtesy, nor netiquette in this letter from Linkedin Corporation:
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---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: <brand_enforcement@linkedin.com>
Date: Sat, Jul 12, 2008 at 12:30 AM
Subject: Re: Your Infringement of LinkedIn Corporation's Trademark
(SECOND NOTICE)
To: vincent@vincentwright.com

Dear Vincent Wright,

We represent LinkedIn Corporation ('LinkedIn'). LinkedIn has recently
learned of your following websites;

linkedinexecutives.com
idreamoflinkedinstrings.info
linkedinflorida.com
linkedinmiami.com
linkedinorlando.com
linkedinseattle.com
mylinkedinpowerforum.biz
linkedinaffiliates.com
linkedincoaching.com
linkedinexpert.com
linkedinguru.com
linkedinhubs.com
linkedinadiscussion.com
linkedinaforum.com
linkedinagroup.com
linkedindotmobi.com
linkedinhubber.com
linkedinhubbers.com
thelinkedincoach.com
coachinglinkedin.com
easylinkedin.com
linkedinablog.com
linkedinbranding.com
linkedincarnival.com
linkedincarnivals.com
linkedindubai.com
linkedinillustrated.com
linkediniq.info
linkedinmadeeasy.com
linkedinnewengland.com
linkedinnorthcarolina.com
linkedinpower.com
linkedinsocialmedia.com
linkedinsouthcarolina.com
linkedinstumbler.com
linkedinstumblers.com
linkedintexas.com
mylinkedincoach.com
mylinkedinconsultant.com
mylinkedinconsultants.com
mylinkedinpowerblog.com
mylinkedinpowerforum.info
mylinkedinpowerforum.us
yourlinkedinpro.com
linkedinconsultants.com
linkedinning.com
linkedinboston.com
linkedincalifornia.com
linkedinit.com
linkedinoutsourcing.com
linkedinwomen.com
mylinkedinpowerforum.net

Your unauthorized use of the LinkedIn name and trademark (the
'LinkedIn Mark') to promote these sites constitutes infringement of
LinkedIn's trademark rights and must cease immediately.

LinkedIn has used the LinkedIn Mark continuously in interstate
commerce for several years. It has strong common law rights in the
mark and it owns U.S. Trademark Registration No. 3,074,241.
Additionally, LinkedIn owns at least a dozen international
registrations and pending applications for the LinkedIn Mark and
stylized mark. It has invested significant energy and resources into
the promotion of the LinkedIn Mark, and the mark has earned
substantial goodwill with the public as a result of LinkedIn's
promotional activities and quality services.

You have unlawfully incorporated a substantial portion of the LinkedIn
Mark in your URL and your website. This use is unquestionably
intentional and made with complete knowledge of LinkedIn's name and
services.

The LinkedIn Mark is strong and distinctive, and your use of the mark
is likely to lead to consumer confusion. Reasonable consumers are
likely to assume that LinkedIn sponsors or endorses your website, or
that your website is otherwise affiliated with LinkedIn. LinkedIn can
not tolerate this infringement of its mark.

You should be advised that the law provides for injunctive relief and
recovery of monetary damages, including any infringing profits,
trebled in cases of willfulness, and attorneys' fees incurred in cases
of trademark infringement.

LinkedIn is prepared to take appropriate legal action to enforce its
rights, but we are first contacting you to request that you
voluntarily remove all uses of the LinkedIn Mark from the above-cited
website(s) and any other website(s) under your control. We further
request that you transfer the above listed domain names to us. Please
confirm in writing within ten days of the date of this e-mail that you
will comply with the foregoing demands.

LinkedIn remains hopeful that this matter can be resolved quickly and
amicably. We therefore look forward to receiving your response and
compliance no later than the date indicated above. Please understand
nothing in this letter should be construed as limiting LinkedIn's
rights and remedies.

Very truly yours,

LinkedIn
brand_enforcement@linkedin.com

--
Keep STRONG!
Vincent Wright
VincentWright.com (My Profile)
MyLinkingPowerForum.com (Ning (3,000 members))
MyVirtualPowerForum.com (Yahoo (8,900 members))