LimeWire Founder 'Not Thrilled' That 'Strangers' Are Exploiting the Brand for NFT Marketplace

Several outlets -- including Slashdot -- reported last week that LimeWire is making a comeback as an NFT marketplace. But as it turns out, the new LimeWire project has absolutely nothing to do with the team that originally developed the file-sharing software. They just happen to share the same name. TorrentFreak, a news website that tracks piracy and copyright, interviewed Mark Gorton, founder and chief executive of the original LimeWire company, called Lime Group LLC. An excerpt from the story: Gorton says that he had never even heard of this NFT project before it hit the news. "I was not approached about this NFT project, and I didn't hear about it until the public announcement," Gorton tells TorrentFreak. There was probably no legal obligation to inform the former LimeWire chief. The original trademarks have expired and the NFT website uses a new logo, so they can use the brand. However, Gorton is not happy to see the name used in a way that deviates from its original purpose. "I am not thrilled about an unrelated group of people using the LimeWire name. Using the LimeWire name in this way creates confusion and falsely uses that brand that we created for purposes for which it was never intended," Gorton says. The new LimeWire does have at least one asset that previously belonged to the original LimeWire team; the Limewire.com domain name.

Someone call Alanis Morissette..

[Powercntrl]

..because a company that doesn't respect intellectual property rights having their intellectual property rights violated, is actually ironic.

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[sound+vision]

It says the trademark was expired so technically they didn't violate any IP law. That said, I'm surprised it takes less than 20 years for a trademark to lapse, not something measured in centuries like copyright. Since deception is the core issue of a trademark violation, I would think trademarks would warrant stronger protection.

As far as calling Alanis, it would be better to send her over Apple's way. If I recall correctly, the deal Steve's Apple worked out with the Beatles' Apple to use the name, was that

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[BackwardPawn]

A trademark has to be used and defended in order to remain valid. Copyright is a set number of (ever extending) years. Since LimeWire hasn't operated in ten years, the group that took the trademark is probably in the clear.

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[Powercntrl]

I had just assumed LimeWire was still around but no longer usable for its original purpose, like Napster, MySpace, and that fruitcake in the freezer from two Christmases ago.

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[mccalli]

I mean....someone rang him up and asked him. It's not like he went to the press with a pre-prepared statement, or is considering action or anything else. A reporter rang him and said "hey, what about this?" to which he replied "They seem legally fine, but I wasn't aware and don't like it much.". That's it - that's the extent of the story.

Nothing Burger

[OYAHHH]

There are lots and lots of companies that use the exact same verbiage in their product/company names. As long as there is little risk of consumer confusion it is not an issue.

If the original Limewire folks want to dispute it then I'm sure there are plenty of ambulance chasing lawyers who will run to their defense. Anything less than that is merely crying over spilled milk.

You solve these disputes in the courtroom.

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[geekmux]

You solve these disputes in the courtroom.

No. You solve these disputes by never creating them in the first place. Pick a different fucking name. How hard is that.

I wonder how much money they pissed away to not advertise themselves, as they do the lazy thing and buy the old-and-busted limewire.com to turn it into the new-hotness?

Depending on how much they blew for that, will define intent to "confuse" here. People find profit through little more than narcissism these days. Pathetic, but fact.

They're concerned, and rightly so.

[h33t l4x0r]

This could really tarnish the reputation of their obsolete piracy software.

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[LuckyPee]

This could really tarnish the reputation of their obsolete piracy software.

Aren't they both damaging the reputation of the other?

Abandoned trademark and website

[misnohmer]

Obviously none of the original crew cared enough about the brand to retain the trademark or even enough to continue paying $15/year domain registration. It's just sour grapes. Domains and trademarks are up for grabs once abandoned.