RE: Boy Scouts of America set legal sights on Hacker Scouts for trademark infringement

DAB — Tue, 27 Aug 2013 19:26:56 GMT

Hi Cabe,

This case does raise an interesting issue about words, free speech and logo's.

When I saw the Logo, I did not think it related to the Boy Scouts of America. I can see the possible connection, but Hacker Scouts sounds like an antithisis of the values of the BSA. Given the low profile of BSA in today's society, I suspect that most people would not construe the logo with the BSA.

The whole issue could probably been resolved with a phone call and an agreement to put a clarifier with the logo stating that it had no affiliation with the BSA.

Now that lawyers are involved I suspect that the Hacker Space will need to change their logo.

If the BSA fought as hard to grow their membership, they might be more relevant today than they are percieved to be in today's society.

Publicity like this is not helping them grow.

Though as a former scout, I still live by the motto "Be Prepared".

The lessons I learned still serve me today some fifty years after being a boy scout.

DAB