On Wed, 26 Jun 1996 19:06:41 -0400 Philo <[log in to unmask]> said: >Well, the bottom line is: Either LISTSERV is a registered trademark or >it isn't. If it isn't, L-SOFT can whine all day long, while they're >losing ground on public domain issues. This information is incorrect. A trademark does not need to be registered in order to exist, and indeed there are major trademarks in the computer world (like most of DEC's trademarks for instance, or VM) which have never been registered. Registration is not what determines your right or lack of right to a trademark. The PTO can screw up and give you a registered trademark in good faith because they didn't know of this other company that had prior use. Then the other company can complain and may take the trademark away from you even though you had it registered. Registration however is required in order to prosecute. While registration is recommended, it is not necessary in order to have rights to a mark. Eric