Comments on: OlloWhat ?

By: Mark

Mark — Thu, 25 Oct 2012 05:54:58 +0000

Hi Jason, trademarks can be infringed when “playing” on a word but you are right that it requires interpretation. The courts are there to do the interpretation if you have the time/money. In OlloClip’s own website they explain that the word “Ollo” means to see in several languages. The App OlloCorrect was calibrated to work with the OlloClip. My goal was to make existing owners of the Olloclip aware of the HiLO Lens. The OlloCorrect app is not designed to work with the HiLO Lens (we have another app for that). So it would be confusing to name the OlloCorrect app HiLOCorrect – but it is a good idea. Thanks for your interest! Mark.

By: Jason

Jason — Thu, 25 Oct 2012 05:38:03 +0000

I may be overly simplistic, but when talking trademark you have to be more than just infringing on a play of words in a name. Take a look at the punctuation of olliclip vs OlloCorrect and logo are not in any likeness.

The weight is on olloclip to prove the infringement.

To be devil’s advocate though, why wasn’t the app called HiLOcorrect?

By: Mark

Mark — Sat, 29 Sep 2012 22:59:59 +0000

Bruce, I’m reaching a conclusion on this saga. The latest comment below gives my thoughts about the situation : http://www.hilolens.com/blog/archives/2012/09/06/next-ollochapter/#comment-230

By: Mark

Mark — Sat, 29 Sep 2012 22:09:20 +0000

From what I’ve seen the cheap magnet-style lenses use the same quality optics as Olloclip – is that your experience ?

I was not aware of the Phocus project – thanks.

I’ll reach out to iPro and see if they are interested in OlloCorrect’s functionality. Thanks !

By: Bruce Lemieux

Bruce Lemieux — Sat, 29 Sep 2012 14:37:59 +0000

Maybe BarrelCorrect? DistortionCorrect? No… those aren’t very good names.

There’s tons of other cheap magnet-style lenses, but I think the only other main-stream iPhone lens would be the iPro lens system (www.iprolens.com). I’ve ordered an iPhone 5 and am keeping an eye on Phocus (www.smartphocus.com). These are the same guys who had the functional – but really bulky – OWLE wide-angle lens. Form, function and value of this product looks really great.

Good luck.

By: Mark

Mark — Thu, 27 Sep 2012 23:59:23 +0000

Hi Bruce, thanks for your feedback. The OlloCorrect app is designed for the Olloclip. Even if the product has a completely different name it is likely some people would assume Olloclip made it. Because OlloCorrect is an accessory for the Olloclip I think this is unavoidable. I really dislike how Olloclip is behaving. I believe OlloCorrect (or the same app with another name) helps sell more Olloclips (because other lenses don’t have an app). So if I need to rename the app I will also take the time to calibrate another add-on lens e.g. the PhotoJoJo lenses.

I’m not aware of any other OlloThings out there. Olloclip currently make one product in the optics space (not software).

Is there another brand of add-on lens you would like to see supported ?

By: Bruce Lemieux

Bruce Lemieux — Thu, 27 Sep 2012 23:39:44 +0000

Hey Mark – Agree with Mike. The “Ollocorrect” name is about as close to “Olloclip” as one could get. Is there another “Ollo-anything” out there? When I downloaded the app, I thought it was from Olloclip.

I use and like your product, and there’s definitely a need for it. I would rename it and move on. Good luck.

By: Mark

Mark — Fri, 07 Sep 2012 07:35:06 +0000

Sounds advice Mike. I’m no doubt naive believing that, If decision makers (not lawyers) can actually discuss the situation there is a chance things can be resolved to everyone’s satisfaction.

The jurisdiction is an interesting question. I don’t want to turn this blog into this one saga. But there is a more recent post here http://www.hilolens.com/blog/archives/2012/09/06/next-ollochapter/ I’m planning on updating that post regarding “progress”.

It has been very useful to bounce ideas with you thanks. It helps get a bit of distance from the issue.

By: Mike Hardaker

Mike Hardaker — Fri, 07 Sep 2012 06:46:21 +0000

It’s actually a lot more nuanced than that, unfortunately. And, of course, it varies (sometimes substantially) from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. And the issue can extend beyond trademarks to other areas of IP and even business practise. My own approach in such circumstances is always a) not to guess, b) treat the opinions of others as just that (however well-founded they may seem) and c) lawyer up with the best IP lawyer I can afford at the time. It’s not a field for amateurs, nor for backing a view that “ought” to be right, IMO!

By: Mark

Mark — Thu, 06 Sep 2012 07:00:42 +0000

Mike, I need to jump to a new thread, we are being pushed off the page

My understanding is that the trademark does not protect a logo “concept” but a particular design. There would need to be confusion between two logos before the trademark rights can be enforced. Otherwise, for example, people would be able to claim rights to “round” logo designs.

Regarding words, the situation is less clear to me. For example I dont’t think that Adidas can stop someone selling sports gear as Adicorrect. But no doubt if there are lawyers involved they would love to try.