Wednesday, October 24, 2007

Why don't we just patent genes...oh, we do that already.

This post is in response to the post I deleted.

***

I was asked by the lawyers of Giant Microbes to remove all indications of knitted toys (microorganisms) because I called them Macro Microbes. The lawyers of Giant Microbes hunted me down and sent me an email telling me that this infringed on their rights and asked that I cease and desist.

I did not make the toys to sell, nor did I design the pattern to sell. Furthermore, as a scientist with small children, it's not a stretch of the imagination that I would knit microorganisms. I did get inspiration from their product, and I credited them with that, but they wanted me to remove it, so I did.

Anyway, it's not worth it. I did not hotlink their pictures, and the microscopy pictures I used to identify the beasties were from the intarweb.

I'm still a bit confused tho'. I can see that Macro Microbes might appear too close to Giant Microbes, but does that mean that their company cornered the market on any microorganisms made into toys!? The knitted items are my patterns, can I share them so long as I don't use the Macro Microbe term?

Mr. Lawyer, I know you've come back to my site to check that I've deleted the post. Could you leave a comment here and let me know? Thanks.

Others should feel free to leave a comment here too.

6 comments:

Pixiepurls said...

that seems really silly doesn't it!

Knitting Linguist said...

Wow. Paranoid IP lawyers. Just what the world needs more of.

Diane said...

Wonder how much he's billing the client for this cease and desist order? A little web surfing and he makes a couple thousand bucks?

Well, I'm glad you've removed your toy from the web. I feel safer now ... all is right with the world.

Rosemarie Buchanan said...

It just seems to get thicker and smellier, doesn't it?
What's next, the thought police? (oh yeah, it's called Homeland Security).
Maybe that idiot lawyer will find me. Then I'll treat him to a red-hot enema, which he so clearly deserves.
There is no shame in the world. I am so sorry you had to remove your posts.

fleegle said...

I can't believe this! You really were a threat with those macro microbes. I feel a lot safer tonight.

People are really getting ugly, aren't they?

Mary said...

Wow this is just about the craziest thing Ive ever heard. Did you look into it? Are they right?