Forum Discussion

sirmeili's avatar
sirmeili
Visitor
9 years ago

Trademark usage

I can't seem to find a way to contact Roku directly, so I will try asking here.

I have written a plugin for my home automation software that I'm preparing to release which uses the External Control APIs. My preliminary name is "MeiliRoku" (which follows the theme of my other plugins of Meili[Text]). I'm worried this might cause trademark issues with Roku, which I don't want.

Also, I would like to use the Roku Logo, which I think I'm ok with, but I'm not sure. I would not be altering the Logo to include the "Meili" as I'm really sure that is not acceptable. But for the icon I was going to use it.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Frank
Roku Developer Program

4 Replies

  • sirmeili's avatar
    sirmeili
    Visitor
    9 years ago
    So, after reading more carefully through the trademark guildlines (), this part stuck out at me:

    You may not use any name or trademark confusingly similar to the Roku Design Marks or any other Roku Mark.  You may not use any Roku Mark in such proximity to any of your own trademarks or third party trademarks so as to create a combination or composite mark.  You may not combine any Roku Mark with your own or other third party trademark to create a telescoped mark or "mash-up" of the two (or more) marks.


    So, I guess this puts a squash on my name. So my question is, those that use the ECP, how do you name your products in a way that is concise yet lets your potential users know that your product is for controlling a Roku?
  • belltown's avatar
    belltown
    Roku Guru
    9 years ago
    Meiliku? There's already something called a Remoku which I believe is a remote app for the Roku.
  • sirmeili's avatar
    sirmeili
    Visitor
    9 years ago
    HA! My wife said almost the same exact thing (Meiku) That's kind of a good idea, but wasn't sure if it was still a "mashup" according to Roku. I have 4 rokus in my house and love them and hence why I wrote the plugin. I wanted to integrated it into my HA system and give others the opportunity to do the same. I just don't want to upset or cause any issue with my name. I guess maybe MeiliKu or MeiKu might be the best alternative, though I still think that causes more confusion about what it is than my original name. I have no fear that people will think I'm associated with or competing against Roku. I'm trying to expand their functionality into at least small part of the Home Automation market 🙂

    Thank you for the suggestion. 
  • EnTerr's avatar
    EnTerr
    Roku Guru
    9 years ago
    It is a mashup but far removed, so i doubt they will prosecute (it'd be preposterous to go after words that use "ku" in them).
    I think you are also safe if you use name like "Meili for Roku" because that is fdescriptive, truthful and does not imply association with the product maker, i.e. won't cause confusion / brand dilution. Say you made a special bracket to mount Roku behind TVs, compare how it sounds "Roku Stand" sounds like something the Co would make, where "Stand for Roku" is generic. I remember Netflix had some guidelines to that extent. And yes - the Roku logo is protected, so you should follow the guidelines they give if including it anywhere.