Hurry!!

August 29, 2001 7:24 AM

Hurry!! The Dot.Com Gold Rush Is On! Zooooooooom!
posted by webchick (13 comments total)

(more here)
posted by webchick at 7:29 AM on August 29, 2001

but wait, there's more! the good doctor is not alone. There is so much opportunity out there
posted by agnok47 at 8:02 AM on August 29, 2001

that's one fucked up pegasus.
posted by o2b at 8:26 AM on August 29, 2001

I'm feeling the need to go and register all the domain names I can think off. Back in a second.






Darn. They were all taken. Guess I missed the gold rush.
posted by wondergirl at 10:10 AM on August 29, 2001

The relevant posts at Zeldman's site have been taken down.

(and webchick, I closed that span for ya ;)
posted by scottandrew at 10:23 AM on August 29, 2001

hmmm, zeldman has removed his comments. but the google cache shows what he said yesterday.
posted by deftone at 10:24 AM on August 29, 2001

maybe webchick needs to see thewebdoctor... that's two snafus on one thread, and you posted it.
posted by hotdoughnutsnow at 10:28 AM on August 29, 2001

Here's what the Z said, because I'm sure the google cache is going to get updated quickly.

After a lovely morning's speaking engagement at the Computer Page program of the Branch Libraries of the New York Public Library, we were slightly distressed to receive a boilerplate cease and desist letter from the president of a company that has apparently trademarked the phrase "The Web Dr."
Said company president was miffed about our ancient Ask Dr Web tutorial, online since 1995, which he felt violated his trademark. As far as we know, our (copyrighted) tutorial came first; and frankly, neither "The Web Dr." nor "Ask Dr. Web" is particularly original. (Just Ask Dr Weil. Or Dr Science. Or Dr Math. Or—well, you get it.)
We haven't updated our tutorial in over two years, and we wouldn't claim that it's special in any way. But it has helped some folks get started designing their own web pages, and that seems reason enough to leave it online. Hopefully our trademark-holding friend will agree to leave well enough alone. :::

Company URL: http://www.electronicmktg.com/

Sic 'em, mob!
posted by SpecialK at 11:38 AM on August 29, 2001

Please DON'T "sic" anybody on my account. I have no quarrel with the gentleman and he has no quarrel with me.

I chose to delete the earlier comments from my site; nobody pressured me to do so. In hindsight, I felt childish for discussing the matter publicly.

I appreciate you-all's support but there really is no issue here. Thanks,

jeffrey
posted by Zeldman at 11:53 AM on August 29, 2001

>that's two snafus on one thread...

touché.

>and you posted it.

snafu #3?
posted by webchick at 12:18 PM on August 29, 2001

Z - That was a humorous reference to the MeFi Mob. Forgot the sarcasm tags, my apologies...
posted by SpecialK at 1:33 PM on August 29, 2001

I'm glad that Zeldman seems to have worked it out with The Web Dr.

However...

I'm always incensed when I read about some individual or company who thinsk intimidating independent publishers, artists and non-profits on the web over perceived violation of trademark is a fine idea. If one falls into one of the above categories, I would strongly suggest taking a page from Halcyon's book and learn how to legally preempt stuff like this in your state.

I'm willing to bet this guy did a minimum (if any) of research on what "Ask Dr. Web" actually was before firing out the C&D's.
posted by scottandrew at 1:55 PM on August 29, 2001