A kinder, gentler 'Web 2.0' debate
Publisher O'Reilly Media kicked off a major brouhaha among bloggers last week when it sent a cease-and-desist letter concerning the use of the term "Web 2.0."
CEO Tim O'Reilly, back from vacation, responded to the controversy Tuesday in a blog posting. While he acknowledged a "faux pas" in the legal situation, he defended the company's use of the trademark, and berated bloggers for their mob mentality.
"The flap about the Web 2.0 Conference trademark has shaken my faith in the collective intelligence of the blogosphere," he wrote.
Bloggers by and large capitulated, saying that the controversy may have been overblown, and that maybe O'Reilly did have the right to defend his trademark, although not everyone was convinced on the latter point.
Blog community response:
"The upshot: Yes, O'Reilly wants to own the name 'Web 2.0 Conference.' He's also disappointed in you all."
--ValleyWag
"I am not convinced that he is right on the core issue. I don't argue service marks, but Tim is one of the leaders we followed into this new arena of open source and generosity in the Web 2.0 era. Hell, most people I've talked to in early research for my book on this subject, don't even like the term. It's just evolved as the term we all use."
--Naked Conversations
"Sometimes the blogosphere turns into a mob - and that tends to happen when the subject of either lawyers or advertising comes into play."
--The Blog Herald
