mikerowesoft is being forced to change name

[Matt]

Microsoft probably never expected the kid to fight, which he undoubtedly will now that his story's gotten out.

[Drewbacca]

I'd just give it to them. He was asking for trouble with a name like that. Then to ice the cake he made an idiotic decision. I wouldn't be surprised if his intention was to get some money out of MS.

Everything that he mentioned doesn't equate to 10,000. Business cards are cheap if you don't have them designed by a professional designer, and spreading "word of mouth" in a small rural town or to clients is as easy as pie. (I love pie)

If you're in Microsofts position you don't want some punk going around saying he owns MikeRowesoft. It could potentially damage their reputation if he pisses somebody off who is ignorant. Yes, it's a bit silly but the chance is there that it could happen.

I don't really care what happens. I just hope he finds a better business name because his current one is silly.

[Dolemite]

MikeRowesoft? That's an idiotic name for a business.

I don't think so. It's pretty funny.

[mollipen]

The kid was an idiot for going with that name. I don't care if it is his real name, he knows that when somebody says "Mike Row Soft," it comes out sounding like "Microsoft." I dislike MS, but I'd side with them on this one. It's like if my name was Mark Apple, and I started a software company called "AppleComp" - I'd know that it was just asking for trouble, and trying to make a name for myself off of another company.

He could have called himself "Rowe Soft" or "Rowe Software" or "Mike Rowe Computing" or any other name. He instead chose one that would sound exactly like the name of another software company. Sorry if I have no sympathy for him.

[Diff-chan]

Give me a fucking break. He's a 17-year old kid. He made a dumb decision, I know I made dumb decisions every damn day when I was 17 (I still do now). The only difference between him and me is that I didnt incur the wrath of a major corporation with endless amounts of money and lawyers who smell blood in the water.

[rezo]

"Mike Rowe Computing"

Micro Computing

He'd have to deal with Bradley Burger and co. if he chose that name.

probably something with me not pronouncing words in my head when I'm reading.

Crazy. I wish I could do that.

[bandit]

Micro Computing

He'd have to deal with Bradley Burger and co. if he chose that name.

I guess anything that has the word "micro" he cant use, such as Micro Machines..etc.

[Mman]

If he has a legit buisness how can they possibly get him for cyber-squatting?

And seriously, Andrew, how could he damage a huge company like MS? Especially considering that suing a 17 year old will far more damage their rep than he ever could.

[bandit]

MS is just abusing the 17 yr old. They know that hes only a teenager, he has not rich, he probably comes from a middle class family, so, since MS has all the money in the world, they dont mind paying for a lawyer or whatnot and make this teenager give-in.

[Gohron]

The kid was an idiot for going with that name. I don't care if it is his real name, he knows that when somebody says "Mike Row Soft," it comes out sounding like "Microsoft." I dislike MS, but I'd side with them on this one. It's like if my name was Mark Apple, and I started a software company called "AppleComp" - I'd know that it was just asking for trouble, and trying to make a name for myself off of another company.

He could have called himself "Rowe Soft" or "Rowe Software" or "Mike Rowe Computing" or any other name. He instead chose one that would sound exactly like the name of another software company. Sorry if I have no sympathy for him.

How are you gonna side with MS on this issue? Because they enjoy exercising their power on people with names sounding like his? Stupid people could confuse anything with Microsoft so what point do they have? If shit like this continues to go on then just having a damn name will be a copyright violation, Microsoft is being greedy and completely immorale. Maybe the kid was dumb for choosing the name but what damn right does that give Microsoft to go against a kid who has no way of defending himself?