The Name Game: Who Gets to Keep “Eris”?

The ongoing saga of Eris Industries and Eris Exchange feels a bit like a courtroom drama, where the key players are two companies fighting over a name and the future of the blockchain. It’s a classic case of trademark tussle: do names hold as much power as the work behind them?

The Players at Hand

On one side, we have Eris Industries, developers of free and open-source software aimed at creating low-cost data infrastructure using blockchain technology. On the other, there’s Eris Exchange, a Chicago-based futures exchange with an eyebrow-raising patent-pending interest rate swap futures contract. Of course, a familiar face in the background is Donald R. Wilson, a co-owner of Digital Asset Holdings and a notable member of the Eris Exchange board. Is it a clash of titans or just an overzealous showdown?

Trademark Tug-of-War

In trademark law, competition isn’t just about who gets to slap a name on a product. It dives into similar goods and the potential for confusion. As Preston Byrne, the COO of Eris Industries, humorously pointed out, calling for trademark ownership over the Eris name might lead to claims over the Greek goddess, a certain dwarf planet, or even Homer’s epic tales. You’d think Dungeons & Dragons was making a comeback!

Legal Back and Forth

This all kicked off when Eris Exchange hurled a cease and desist letter towards Eris Industries in January, only to receive a swift reply that sounded a lot like, “not today, my friend!” With no follow-up moves, February rolled around with unchallenged trademark filings suggesting they had stepped back from the legal ring. But hold on! Just when everyone thought it was over, June saw a sudden reappearance of the legal clash.

What’s the Endgame?

What do Eris Exchange and its new identity, Eris Innovations, hope to achieve? Are they eyeing the blockchain space after witnessing the tech buzz — or is there something deeper? Perhaps they just enjoy playing legal tag for fun? Who knows! What’s evident, however, is that Eris Industries is standing firm:

• Their database software doesn’t compete with what Eris Exchange offers.
• They have been using the Eris name effectively in both the UK and the US.
• They built their company from the ground up, and they refuse to roll over.

We Built This City!

In a world where tech startups sprout from the ashes of the past, companies like Eris Industries made their mark by sheer determination and creativity. Yet, they’re not just going to let their name be swiped by a company with deeper pockets as if it was just another cheap knockoff. As they put it: “We’re not going to take this lying down.”

The Takeaway

This saga of Eris vs. Eris reminds us that in the land of innovation, creativity often clashes with legality. As companies navigate this tricky terrain of branding, trademarks, and legal claims, we watch with popcorn in hand, wondering how this drama will unfold. Spoiler alert: it’s likely going to be a bumpy ride!