Canadian company puts Microsoft on notice.HALIFAX, Nova Scotia--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 16, 1996--It could be a high-tech case of David and Goliath David and Goliath are figures of a well-known tale in the Bible (1 Samuel 17, in most English language versions), wherein David, an Israelite shepherd-boy and future King of Israel. . CityScapes Internet Marketing See Internet advertising. Inc., a Canadian company based in Halifax is taking issue with Microsoft's newest on-line project, known by the code name "CityScape (company) CityScape - A re-seller of Internet connections to the PIPEX backbone. E-Mail: <sales@cityscape.co.uk>. Address: CityScape Internet Services, 59 Wycliffe Rd., Cambridge, CB1 3JE, England. Telephone: +44 (1223) 566 950. ." Not only is the name identical, but Microsoft's concept appears to bear a striking resemblance to the Halifax company's original idea. According to according to prep. 1. As stated or indicated by; on the authority of: according to historians. 2. In keeping with: according to instructions. 3. a July 15th article in the Wall Street Journal, Microsoft is developing a U.S.-wide network of "on-line community guides crammed with local listings, maps reviews...and retail ads" for launch in 1997. "Our product name is crucial to the success of our overall marketing strategy," said CityScapes CEO (1) (Chief Executive Officer) The highest individual in command of an organization. Typically the president of the company, the CEO reports to the Chairman of the Board. , Paul Westhorpe. "It is of obvious concern that Microsoft is using an identical name for a similar product." CityScapes Internet Marketing Inc. creates web sites, which are Internet-based community information centers that resemble actual towns and cities. CityScapes sites contain a variety of community content -- local weather and news, community events, town council meeting times, entertainment listings, transit schedules and much more. The sites also provide a local marketing environment where small businesses can market their products and services via the Internet to customers in their local community. CityScapes Internet Marketing Inc. has used the mark "CityScapes" in interstate commerce interstate commerce In the U.S., any commercial transaction or traffic that crosses state boundaries or that involves more than one state. Government regulation of interstate commerce is founded on the commerce clause of the Constitution (Article I, section 8), which since the business was first established in 1995, and has trademark applications pending in the United States and Canada. Microsoft has been advised of CityScapes superior trademark rights in the event Microsoft attempts to use the name on an external basis. Unlike Microsoft, CityScapes uses a franchise model to expand and maintain its network. Franchisees manage the local CityScape site, as they can better represent and interpret their community's needs and views. Currently five franchise sites have been established, with 17 more on the way in Canada and the United States The United States and Canada share a unique legal relationship. U.S. law looks northward with a mixture of optimism and cooperation, viewing Canada as an integral part of U.S. economic and environmental policy. . The company plans to develop more than 200 franchise sites in the next 12 months, and anticipates going public in the United States this fall. CONTACT: CityScapes Internet Marketing Inc. Paul Westhorpe, CEO, 902/425-3983 |
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