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1.  

   

   Dark Helmet (profile), Oct 26th, 2009 @ 6:42am

   
   

   ...er, I don't get it.

   One is an acronym in caps, and one utilizes the word "spark". They're even spelled differently. Plus they include an entirely new syllable. Also, they appear to be selling to entirely different markets, consumer vs. industry.
   
   ....so where's the confusion?
   
   Oh, and before I forget:
   
   "This whole situation apparently was "sparked" (heh heh)"
   
   Love this site, kid, but leave the funny to us pros...

    

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2.  

   

   Steven (profile), Oct 26th, 2009 @ 7:05am

   
   

   New customer

   I've been meaning to get an arduino board. Start up a new hobby. Now I know where I'll be buying all my parts. Straight from SPARC... oh wait, I mean SparkFun... I think... damn, now I'm so confused.

    

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3.  

   

   Richard (profile), Oct 26th, 2009 @ 7:11am

   
   

   Why Sparkfun and not
   
   Sparkplug, SparkEnergy, Sparknotes, SparkChallenge, Spark-Online, Microsoft Embedded Spark (this one esp close to confusing with SPARC)
   
   Come on!
   
   Not even spelled same
   
   Simplez
   
   Eeeee!

    

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4.  

   

   Richard (profile), Oct 26th, 2009 @ 7:21am

   
   

   Re:

   For those outside the UK the last part of the above comment is a reference to the highly successful (and amusing ) ComparetheMarket.com / ComparetheMeerkat.com UK ad campaign, which revolves around an invented trademark confusion.
   
   Strange that people prosecute these cases when ComparetheMarket has shown that "silly trademark confusion" makes a really effective publicity tool.

    

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5.  

   

   Richard (profile), Oct 26th, 2009 @ 7:34am

   
   

   Microsoft Embedded Spark

   There might actually be a confusion between SparkFun and Microsoft Embedded Spark (maybe that's why Sparkfun decided to register their trademark) - but SPARC???

    

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6.  

   

   The Buzz Saw (profile), Oct 26th, 2009 @ 7:57am

   
   

   ...really?

   SPARC needs to realize that "spark" is too generic of a term. It is a dictionary term and is subject to endless use in the business world. It can be part of product names, corporate protocols, departments, etc.
   
   Now, if SPARC had some far out name like Boogyggsby, only then would it have a claim against BoogyggsbyFun for blatantly riding coattails.
   
   I wonder how long until Syfy starts suing bookstores for having Sci-fi sections.

    

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7.  

   

   Liz, Oct 26th, 2009 @ 8:08am

   
   

   Makes me wonder if they'll go after Sparkplay Media next.
   http://www.sparkplaymedia.com/

    

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8.  

   

   DaveL (profile), Oct 26th, 2009 @ 8:34am

   
   

   Well... once again... a worthless law suit has provided some free marketing. I didn't know SparkFun existed, but now that I do I've got some ordering to do. I found several things on their site I could use.

    

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9.  

   

   Anonymous Coward, Oct 26th, 2009 @ 8:39am

   
   

   Re: Re:

   I think after all the stress SparkFun get from this they should take a nice long jacuzzi bath. Now, where's Sergei and those bubbles ;-)

    

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10.  

    

    Richard (profile), Oct 26th, 2009 @ 8:58am

    
    

    Re:

    Go ahead - they're thoroughly recommended!

     

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11.  

    

    vastrightwing, Oct 26th, 2009 @ 9:44am

    
    

    Can someone recommend a good SPARC plug

    for my Ford?

     

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12.  

    

    Anonymous Coward, Oct 26th, 2009 @ 10:11am

    
    

    Re: Can someone recommend a good SPARC plug

    No but I can recommend a part for your fjord.

     

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13.  

    

    Always AC, Oct 26th, 2009 @ 10:31am

    
    

    A load of BS...Go Sparkfun

    I have a suggestion that SPARC can trademark (which they have link to their trademarks off their homepage - that's even worse than monster crap... I mean cable).
    
    SPARCdouche
    
    I would love your DH and others to post their "funny"
    
    http://www.sparc.org/trademarksListing.html

     

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14.  

    

    JustMe, Oct 26th, 2009 @ 12:25pm

    
    

    Reputation is a factor

    And something I shall consider when I look at renewing my handful of SUN machines.
    
    Don't be evil Sun, and reign in your lawyers. You do realize they are just doing to so they can bill you, right?

     

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15.  

    

    Simon Phipps, Oct 26th, 2009 @ 3:36pm

    
    

    Not Sun's Responsibility

    On Sun's behalf, I'd like to make clear that this action was taken by Sparc International (SI). SI is an independent trade association. Sun was involved in starting SI many years ago but today is one of several members and is not responsible for the actions SI takes. I've asked Sun's representative to SI to investigate, but beyond that there's not much else I can do.
    
    S.
    (Sun community ombudsman)

     

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16.  

    

    Anonymous Coward, Oct 26th, 2009 @ 8:15pm

    
    

    Re: Not Sun's Responsibility

    Was this action started by SI or SI's lawyers, i.e. were the lawyers told by SI to go after SparkFun specifically, or did the lawyers have a general mandate to go after whoever they thought they should, on behalf of SI ?

     

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17.  

    

    Dave, Oct 27th, 2009 @ 2:44am

    
    

    Balderdash, poppycock. (British derision, don'cha know)

    This is total rubbish and is just a money-making scam for the legal beagles. They must be feeling the pinch.

     

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