Stuff everyone knew about but me
If you're in the yahoo group that I moderate with my fellow knitting group-er, Kristina, then you've heard about this whole thing. Basically a store in NY called Sew Fast Sew Easy is having websites like Yahoo and Cafe Press send cease and desist type emails to people who use the phrase "Stitch and Bitch" in their group/store/website names. Yeah. So I got this email the other day telling me I had to change the name of my yahoo group b/c it was infringing on the trademark for the phrase stitch and bitch. So I did, because I didn't want them to shut down our little website. Our website that doesn't make any money, or sell anythiing, or advertise anything, and involved about 30 people - yeah that website. Anyway - it turns out I've been under a rock for a while because this kind of thing is all over the internet! Gosh I'm behind the times!
That website linked at the top of this entry is selling items on Cafepress to raise money for a lawyer to work on the whole thing, or as I'm reading now, to help Deb Stoller.
Deb Stoller (editor of my favorite magazine, Bust) wrote a letter on the SnB.org website addressing the situation.
There's also this informative bit of info. And more information.
Bottom line - I think it's a little ridiculous that they're sending out these letters and disabling websites of little knitting groups like the one I go to. Of all the people, believe me our knitting group is not making money off of this. I am not a trademark expert, I do not know much about what's going on with this, but it just feels wrong, you know?
Posted by jen at January 19, 2006 11:14 PM
Comments
Did you get invited to the leader list? It's been so cool to see groups all over the world!
Posted by: Scout at January 20, 2006 07:57 AM
Dude. whats the hell. These people are pissing off lots of knitters. and we carry sharp needles. I don't know the details, but geez.
Posted by: Carrie at January 20, 2006 08:44 AM
Totally. I'm digging out my size 17 bamboo longs.
Ooo! We could stage a SNB sit-in! How fun would that be??
Posted by: KT at January 20, 2006 02:15 PM
