The First Shot Fired

From: Isabelle Drewelow <IDrewelow@IDGBOOKS.com>

To: <crapaud@xtywebworks.ns.ca>

Subject: your web-site

Date: Tuesday, October 19, 1999 1:27 PM

October 19, 1999

crapaud@xtywebworks.ns.ca

BY E-MAIL

     Re:  Sutras For Dummies

To Whom it may concerns,

IDG Books Worldwide, Inc. ("IDG Books") is the publisher of the well-known

and well-regarded "...FOR DUMMIESŪ" series of reference books and products.

It has come to my client's attention that you are using the subtitle "Sutras

For Dummies" on your Web site at: www.xtywebworks.ns.ca

<http://www.xtywebworks.ns.ca>   . While we wish you every success in your

work, we must raise certain issues with respect to your use of IDG Books'

federally registered trademark.

As you probably know, IDG Books publishes and distributes globally a line of

reference books known as the "...FOR DUMMIESŪ" series.  This series has been

in existence since 1991 and has been translated into 34 languages.  In

addition, there are many other successful FOR DUMMIESŪ products including

calendars, audio books, musical compact discs, toys, games, and clothing.

IDG Books has made a substantial investment in promoting the identification

of this trademark to its distributors and customers, and currently has

registrations in many countries.

Because of the significant efforts that IDG Books has undertaken to promote

and protect its trademarks, and because of the potential for confusion

and/or dilution, we trust that you can appreciate our concerns.

We hope that this matter can be resolved quickly and amicably.  Accordingly,

we request that you change " Sutras For Dummies" to a non-infringing title

and provide IDG Books with written assurances that you will refrain from

using its trademarks in the future.  We look forward to hearing from you by

November 1st , 1999

Very truly yours,

Isabelle Drewelow

Trademark Coordinator

IDG Books Worldwide, Inc.

The Return Volley

Have you actually been to the site? You do realize nothing is for sale
there, don't you?
Are you serious?
Surely, you jest, eh?
And if not, do you want to hire me to write a Sutras For Dummies handbook?
There sure are a lot of perplexed Buddhists in the world to market it to.

---
For free , humorous graphics, wallpaper, cards and posters, visit The
Electric Frog
www.xtywebworks.ns.ca/electricfrog.html
Meet The Omniscient Monsieur Crapaud, KLD(Doctor of Karmic Law

The Next Barrage

The issues we have raised regarding your web-site are serious and founded.

Your web-site constitutes an infringement of our federally registered
trademark. Please note, that IDG Books Worldwide has made a substantial
investment to protect and promote this mark.

Since "For DummiesŪ" is one of our most valuable trademarks, we must be
diligent about using it properly and thus protecting it from dilution.
Moreover, federal protection of our trademarks does extend, in fact, to
non-commercial uses, such as yours.

Once again, we hope to resolve this matter quickly and amicably. Therefore,
we request that you change "Sutras for Dummies" to a non-infringing title
and provide IDG Books with written assurances that you will refrain from
using its trademarks in the future by November 1st ,1999.

If you wish to submit a proposal for a book on Buddhism, please do so
through our official channel. We do encourage any new ideas.
Best of luck in your endeavors.

Yours Truly,


Isabelle Drewelow
Trademark Coordinator
IDG Books Worldwide

The White Flag at Half-Mast

I am in process of changing the offending words "For Dummies" on all places
on my web site and will let you know by E-mail when the changes are
completed.
H. Crapaud

I forgot to mention that the lawyer I consulted said I should get a
certified letter from you so that I know this infrigement is "for real" and
not some joke being played by someone else. And he needs a copy for his
records.
H. Crapaud

Last? Post

Could you please provide me with an address where I can send the certified
letter you have requested.

Sincerely,

Isabelle Drewelow
Trademark Coordinator

It's Official Folks

Capitulation

October 29, 1999

 This is to inform you that I have changed the offending phrase "Sutras For
 Dummies" to a non-infringing, non-trademarked phrase on the pages in
 question at my web site The Electric Frog.
 Sincerely
 Harpeau Crapaud

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