Commodore is coming back!

[dreadnought]

Well, at least these guys say so: https://commodore.inc/

It's all rather painful to behold, what with the slightly surreal language the website is written in, couple of bland games, and an offer of a 200E tablet, all smacking of a quick cash-in reminiscent of the infamous PET smartphone, but perhaps I'm just jaded and cynical, and it really will be a glorious revival.

An, oh, they're about to launch a "game jam" (with said tablet being the major prize ) so maybe you should get coding pronto.

[haps]

This world is filled with imbeciles and this is exactly why this sort of shit happens.

[Locutus]

....not again

[alexh]

I was under the impression that "Commodore" owed the US Government millions in environmental clean-up costs at the former site of CSG (Commodore Semiconductor Group). I'm surprised they were able to resurrect the name without paying the debt.

[Galahad/FLT]

[kremiso]

Originally Posted by alexh

...I'm surprised they were able to resurrect the name without paying the debt.

was thinking exactly the same

about the games, seems standard PC indie titles, very far from what Commodore was

[dreadnought]

Originally Posted by alexh

I was under the impression that "Commodore" owed the US Government millions in environmental clean-up costs at the former site of CSG (Commodore Semiconductor Group). I'm surprised they were able to resurrect the name without paying the debt.

I wouldn't be surprised if this situation was as messy as the PET phone itself (or even if the same people were involved): https://pocketnow.com/commodore-smartphone-vaporware

In that article they say there is actually some other entity entitled to this trademark, and even Cloanto pops out there too. The phone people had registered a "Commodore Business Machines Ltd" trademark, which was opposed and ultimately refused, but this takes time and meanwhile they were doing their thing.


In other words, yet another sorry ass retromancy saga.

EDIT: I found it: https://euipo.europa.eu/eSearch/#det...arks/018518134

Seems like they managed to get this one registered as "Commodore Engineering". It also seems there are a few other "Commodores" out there (related to our Commodore): https://euipo.europa.eu/eSearch/#det...arks/018518134

Is there anything messier and more convoluted than the copyright world? Stock trading, perhaps...

[Matt_H]

At this point I don’t think even the best lawyers on the planet could figure out who legitimately owns the Commodore trademark. I’m sure it’s not these guys, but no one would be able to prove it.

By that same logic, I’m pleased to announce my own new Commodore venture! The new Commodore PAD is available directly from me for only $249.95. Coming in an elegant pastel yellow with beautiful earth texturing, it serves all your computing needs, from addition to subtraction! Using the included ergonomic stylus, you can even play games! Don’t wait! Order today!

[Daedalus]

Originally Posted by alexh

I was under the impression that "Commodore" owed the US Government millions in environmental clean-up costs at the former site of CSG (Commodore Semiconductor Group). I'm surprised they were able to resurrect the name without paying the debt.

This could be as simple as careful selection of the trademark categories chosen when applying for the registration - if the trademark isn't associated with a company that manufacturers semiconductors, there's not a lot to link it with CSG. "Nothing to do with us, we just sell generic phones and tablets." It's also much more difficult to contest a trademark if it's in a different category to your own, which appears to be an element here... This current iteration seems to be registered as a services company rather than a computer company - specifically, advertising & business services, education & entertainment sports activities and scientific & technological services. So, I suspect this is just to get a foot in the trademark door and have a basis for challenging holders of the Commodore branding in other categories in the hope that they can claim lack of use or similar.

All in all, not a lot to differentiate it from the various other branding expeditions. Time will tell I guess, but I'd say there's nothing to see here, move along...

[dreadnought]

Wow, what a brilliant and innovative product, just in the spirit of the old Commodore! Quickly, to the registrar's office! Perhaps "Commodore Technologies" has not been taken yet.

[Daedalus]

Here's a nice summary of the various Commodore trademark shenanigans leading up to this point.

[Predseda]

oh my...

[Cubemon]

[spudje]

So this is the same company called Company Engineering in Nostalgia Nerd's video it seems. At least it is not yet another Commodore, LOL.

[Lord Aga]

Originally Posted by Matt_H

At this point I don’t think even the best lawyers on the planet could figure out who legitimately owns the Commodore trademark. I’m sure it’s not these guys, but no one would be able to prove it.

By that same logic, I’m pleased to announce my own new Commodore venture! The new Commodore PAD is available directly from me for only $249.95. Coming in an elegant pastel yellow with beautiful earth texturing, it serves all your computing needs, from addition to subtraction! Using the included ergonomic stylus, you can even play games! Don’t wait! Order today!

Is it "H" ?

[jbenam]

Oh God, these guys again.

They won't get any lawsuits since it's Italy and laws here aren't applied like you would expect in any sane part of the world.

In the worst case they will get a slap on the wrist and be asked to slightly change the name.

[gimbal]

Originally Posted by dreadnought

but perhaps I'm just jaded and cynical

One does not exclude the other

[number6]

Originally Posted by Daedalus

Here's a nice summary of the various Commodore trademark shenanigans leading up to this point.

As if things couldn't get any weirder around here...

#6

[Northgrove]

PRODUCT CTAB-64
C-TAB 64 is a powerful Android tablet ... ...


Oh no

[number6]

Originally Posted by Northgrove

PRODUCT CTAB-64
C-TAB 64 is a powerful Android tablet ... ...


Oh no

And lest we forget this is only 1 of our current successors, we have some news from 2 of the others:

and post following

#6