Clickbait. The website proprietor received a 3rd party trademark infringement complaint. If people in the company would prefer the map to be offline, they are taking a very roundabout way of accomplishing it.

  On Thursday, Michael was notified that Doppel, which describes itself as an “AI-native social engineering defense platfom,” filed a trademark infringement complaint regarding his site, claiming to be working on Flock’s behalf. Doppel says that the site is using the trademark “FLOCK SAFETY” without authorization, which “may cause customer confusion / harm.” Doppel requested the site be taken down.

▲ to11mtm 10 minutes ago | parent | next [-]

Using a 3rd party trademark enforcement company is an excellent way to minimize PR fallout for a company wanting to silence transparency around (or criticism of) a company.

Let's be real here; Would Doppel give any fucks about trying to do a trademark request if Flock wasn't paying them money?

I look forward to trying to understand your reasoning.

▲ plorg 2 hours ago | parent | prev | next [-]

>they are taking a very roundabout way of accomplishing it

  Doppel requested the site be taken down.

Actually that seems pretty direct.

	▲	adolph an hour ago \| parent [-]
		The article says it's a trademark dispute. A cease and desist letter is a normal part of the process.

▲ moate 2 hours ago | parent | prev | next [-]

The fact that they can't go to the court and say "It pisses me off that this guy is doing what he's doing" and instead have to, ya know, try a case based on the actual laws that exist, seems to be confusing you about what "direct legal action" is.

▲

adolph an hour ago | parent [-]

The article's headline is the claim: "Flock Wants the Most Detailed Map of Its Surveillance Cameras Taken Offline"

The basis for this is an undisclosed trademark letter from a 3rd party. The company in question may or may not want the map taken down. However, the article offers scant evidence for the headline claim. That is why it is clickbait. It promises something large and delivers something minimal.

The security researcher in question has certainly made a splash however. Promising new levels of people mad at Flock is definitely the way to create some bona fides.

	▲	muwtyhg an hour ago \| parent [-]
		Is it your opinion that the letter was likely not sent on behalf of Flock, and this Doppel company is lying about being affiliated with Flock? If so, what do they stand to gain by doing this? Is it even possible for a company to file a trademark letter on behalf of trademark owner without being affiliated?

▲ ButlerianJihad an hour ago | parent | prev [-]

> "AI-native social engineering defense platfom"

Is that the description of the law firm? Because it sounds like how a law firm would self-describe. Let's get some founders of law firms to put this in their mission statements.

Furthermore, the EFF and Cory Doctorow could embrace this slogan. Especially the FSF. Richard M. Stallman would totally have adopted this description 35+ years ago.