[sldev] Question: 3rd Party Website link to Second Life - WebAddress Subfolders

[Science Fiction Computer - SCi-Fi PC]

Thanks, Jonathan. 

We'll call through to LL direct about "Website Subfolders" based on your
tip, because the ticket system doesn't have a category for this query, which
we looked at also.

Appreciate your time to reply, 

David

(DMC Zsigmond)

-----Original Message-----
From: Jonathan Bishop [mailto:bishopj at bishopphillips.com] 
Sent: Sunday, June 14, 2009 11:24 AM
To: 'Science Fiction Computer - SCi-Fi PC'
Subject: RE: [sldev] Question: 3rd Party Website link to Second Life -
WebAddress Subfolders

You are going to have to get this resolved by LL directly, unless Phillip
chimes in.  This list, obviously, doesn't have the authority to make a
comment, other than point at the material you have already located.  

There was a fuss about this a year or so ago when the inSL programme was
announced, and the emphatic comment made by the LL/LR officials was that
Second Life was their brand/trade mark and they had an obligation properly
protect it. (In fact you have to protect the TM under the TM laws or you
loose it).  

I seem to recall that they specifically excluded the use of second life in a
domain name, but whether it does, or can extend to the folder names within a
web site is another issue.  Similarly, while LL specifically allows the use
of the phrase in publications, the fact is that they could not prevent this
in any case as the words taken individually and together are a common use
phrase (ie they are not made up words), and even if they were there are
other protections such as fair use, etc that allow the use of the terms in
written and conversational material.  Ultimately the context and intention
of use matters.

Clearly the only way to be certain on this relatively grey issue is to 
1. Get a direct response from the relevant part of LL/RL
2. Get advice from an IP lawyer.

Even the LL people on this list with a couple of exceptions, are probably
not authorized to express a view, let alone a definitive answer.

Regards

Jonathan Bishop 
Managing Director

 

  

Bishop Phillips Consulting | Melbourne, Australia - Vancouver, Canada
Mobile +61 411.404.483 | Office +61 (3) 9525.7066 | Fax +61 (3) 9525.6080
bishopj at bishopphillips.com | www.bishopphillips.com

 

 


-----Original Message-----
From: sldev-bounces at lists.secondlife.com
[mailto:sldev-bounces at lists.secondlife.com] On Behalf Of Science Fiction
Computer - SCi-Fi PC
Sent: Sunday, 14 June 2009 10:42 AM
To: 'SignpostMarv Martin'
Cc: sldev at lists.secondlife.com
Subject: Re: [sldev] Question: 3rd Party Website link to Second Life -
WebAddress Subfolders

Thank you Marv for your reply.

My original question was mainly directed towards the use of the generic noun
"Second Life(R)" by a 3rd party website. 



Under section #3 of this Second Life(R) Brand Center web page: 
http://secondlife.com/corporate/brand/trademark/sl_insl.php#guidelines

...guidelines include an example using inSL(tm) which is okay:
e.g. http://www.ArchitecturalDesignServices.com/inSL



...However, is it possible to use the full name of Second Life in a visible
website subfolder from an SEO perspective:

e.g. 
http://www.website.com/second-life
or 
http://www.website.com/secondlife 

The Second Life Brand Center does cover the use of the generic noun in
"Titles" under publications, at the bottom of this page:
http://secondlife.com/corporate/brand/trademark/reference.php 

... listing: book, magazine, periodical, audio-visual work, event, or
conference. The list does not implicitly include, "website", which one would
logically assume would be included under "publications" as well anyway.

To restate:

>From a 3rd party RL business website perspective investing in operations on
the "Second Life Grid", whereby our business has a presence within Second
Life in some way, it would be optimal for us to be able to establish a
formally-addressed "web page" on our website that is clearly "Titled" and
"Sub-foldered" to be identifiable to Internet surfers and SEO friendly to
search engines - to disclose our motive. I have seen several websites
already do this.

To begin with, this means ensuring our use of the generic noun "Second
Life(R)" in our Website Title/s either falls within publication guideline
accordance, or, it means falling back to the use of inSL(tm), which from an
SEO and readership perspective is 'less identifiable'.

Importantly here, I am excluding text-based business names, trademarks,
domain names, or even the use of the SL logo without expressed written
permission from Linden Lab Research, Inc. which is already covered under
Second Life (R) Brand Center Guidelines. 

My business interest is End User promotion and comprehension, SEO, and
website subfolders.

"Can the full generic noun "*/secondlife or */second-life" be used in a 3rd
party website sub-folder that is visible on the Internet?"

There is nothing I can find that 'implicitly' covers 'website address
sub-folders' in the Second Life(R) Brand Center Guidelines.

With many thanks, 

David

(DMC Zsigmond)



-----Original Message-----
From: SignpostMarv Martin [mailto:me at signpostmarv.name] 
Sent: Sunday, June 14, 2009 4:23 AM
To: Science Fiction Computer - SCi-Fi PC
Cc: sldev at lists.secondlife.com
Subject: Re: [sldev] Question: 3rd Party Website link to Second Life

I believe the inSL (and related brand-center) guidelines you're 
referring to are the only guidelines for 3rd-party usage of the Second 
Life in the manner you're citing.

http://secondlife.com/corporate/brand/


~ Marv.

Science Fiction Computer - SCi-Fi PC wrote:
>
> SLDev,
>
> Are there any guidelines for 3^rd party, real life Business Websites 
> who want to setup a dedicated web page that features information to 
> their customers about their activities and involvement in Second Life?
>
> Observing & respecting the usage guidelines of the inSLT logo program, 
> my business is interested in using the full name of Second LifeR in a 
> website subfolder and/or in the Title of a web page.
>
> For example, a web address:
>
> http://www.mywebaddress.com/second-life/
>
> or
>
> http://www.mywebaddress.com/inSL/
>
> EG. Web Page Title
>
> My Unique Domain Name - We're located in Second LifeR
>
> Or
>
> My Unique Domain Name - inSLT
>
> Regards,
>
> DMC Zsigmond
>
> PS. Sorry to post this web development question here, but I'm not 
> finding an answer to this question on the Second LifeR Branding Center 
> (including FAQ) or in the Terms of Service.
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
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