A UK-based software company called Threads Software Limited is threatening legal action against Meta over its use of the name Threads.
  • Synthead@lemmy.worldEnglish
    1797·
    11 months ago

    It’s a shame how obvious they’re working their corporate bullying cards simply because of money. Imagine if I created a product called Google and tried to sue Google for it. That would be ridiculous, right? Well, that’s what Facebook is doing, just with money.

    • EatYouWell@lemmy.worldEnglish
      5811·
      11 months ago

      It’s not what Facebook is doing. The company has owned the trademark for over a decade, and Facebook is trying to strong arm them into giving it up.

      This is also in the UK where they somewhat stand up to companies like Facebook. McDonald’s lost their trademark for the Big Mac for trying to do this exact same thing.

      • Synthead@lemmy.worldEnglish
        44·
        11 months ago

        Maybe I didn’t convey what I’m saying well. Facebook is attempting to take a name because they have money. Laws don’t really apply to them, they seem to think, and it’s because of their bullying and their money.

      • Jivebunny@lemmy.worldEnglish
        4·
        11 months ago

        Also, Wendy’s had this issue as well in Europe, but their issue was about their actual company name.

      • EnderMB@lemmy.worldEnglish
        2·
        11 months ago

        Eh, the UK isn’t in the best situation, in terms of big tech. If anything, most FAANG companies have got away without paying any tax here for over a decade because the alternative is they ship all of their jobs elsewhere, and the UK tech scene implodes.

        I think a UK court would likely stand up for the British company, as they should, but I would expect Meta to be allowed to throw their weight around a little.

    • squiblet@kbin.social
      4012·
      11 months ago

      Facebook isn’t suing Threads. The longtime trademark holder is suing Facebook.

        • squiblet@kbin.social
          1812·
          11 months ago

          Okay, pointing out the analogy of “Imagine if I created a product called Google and tried to sue Google for it […] Well, that’s what Facebook is doing” doesn’t match this situation.

          • Synthead@lemmy.worldEnglish
            302·
            11 months ago

            Facebook created a product called Threads and is attempting to bully Threads Software into taking their name. I was creating a hypothetical situation about how most small companies can’t just steal a company trademark, because it’s rightfully someone else’s. However, if you are a larger company and, have enough money, and have shit ethics, then you can just kinda… ignore that, and for some reason, the US is happy to let wallets write the law.

            They did this with Meta, too.

            • squiblet@kbin.social
              135·
              11 months ago

              I agree, that is what they’re doing. My only point was they’re being sued, not suing someone. They just took the name and were ignoring the other company that was already using it.

          • 4am@lemm.eeEnglish
            11·
            11 months ago

            I think the part that is missing is “imagine if I were a billion dollar company and I…”

  • PrivateNoob@sopuli.xyzEnglish
    723·
    11 months ago

    Fuck I wish my old elementary school friends and parents wouldn’t use Messenger. I’m eternslly stuck on that platform.

    • pewgar_seemsimandroid@lemmy.blahaj.zoneEnglish
      102·
      11 months ago

      i saw one person do something like this: messages JOIN ME ON SIGNAL(or anything not owned by Facebook and amazon) IF YOU DON’T WANT TO WELL WILL LOSE CONTACT SO PLEASE JOIN ME

      im not sure on how well this will work but maybe exclude you’re family but try to get them to atleast WhatsApp but even better a private messager also consider xmpp/jabber and matrix for jabber i recommend calyx institute jabber server

    • LUHG@lemmy.worldEnglish
      3·
      11 months ago

      You can trial out a new platform called beeper.com

      It allows you to add all your chats to 1 platform. It’s in selected participants mode currently.

    • camr_on@lemmy.worldEnglish
      0·
      11 months ago

      Does Whatsapp connect to messenger like Instagram does? Not sure it’s any better though, since it’s still owned by Meta. I wish I could get everyone on signal

    • GlitzyArmrest@lemmy.worldEnglish
      913·
      11 months ago

      You’re not stuck. Just leave, and make people talk to you over Signal. If they’re not trying to talk to me on Signal or Matrix, I will never see it. This not only got me off of services like Messenger, but also showed who gave enough of a shit about me to go through Signal’s simple setup.

        • GlitzyArmrest@lemmy.worldEnglish
          33·
          11 months ago

          Two way street indeed, I didn’t say all of them followed me or anything like that. I lost contact with many doing this, as expected and intended. But I got much closer to those who did move over. Most of them moved over without me even doing anything because they cared about their own data privacy and realized that it’s easier to setup Signal than it is to setup an entire Facebook account anyway.

          • JiraiyaIsNoLyah@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
            6·
            11 months ago

            Man… What happened to just texting your circle of friends?? I get by pretty well doing that. About half are on signal. The other half just text regular, which I’m cool with.

  • TherouxSonfeir@lemm.eeEnglish
    381·
    11 months ago

    Well, since Meta/Facebook will probably be pulling out of the UK along with every other social media company, that’s hardly a “threat”

    • southsamurai@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
      7·
      11 months ago

      The company has said that they’ve spent a decade building their “brand” under that name. So, if they’re pushing for a big payout, they intend it to be gargantuan rather than the usual payoff. Changing their name would essentially be starting over in some ways. And the confusion they claim as their reason for action is a legit thing.

      I’m not saying that isn’t their goal behind the scenes, but FB tried to buy the name and failed, so I have a feeling they aren’t looking for the usual quiet payoff that’s the goal of that type of action.

  • echo64@lemmy.worldEnglish
    532·
    11 months ago

    Eh I don’t think they have much of a claim here. Threads is a super common word in software and Facebook can so what they want with their own platform.

    • southsamurai@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
      6·
      11 months ago

      The problem is that the company doing this is in messaging. It isn’t a direct competitor, but it’s a legit proposition, as per the analysis lawyers have made. It’s big enough news that the usual outlets have chimed in, and the gist has been that a suit would have standing