Anyone else getting takedown requests from Plex, on Facebook?
We had a small private group for 5-6 users, just for reporting if the server was down or something had broken. Apparently that was a horrible crime because, Markscan Enforcement went after it and had it taken down.
To be clear: It’s not Plex themselves doing this, but some shady outfit in India. Unless Plex decided to hire a shady outfit that is -known- for just spamming DMCA takedowns on anything they can find that has the word Plex in it, but that would be stupid - wouldn’t it?
Markscan is insane and seemingly trying to take down anything with the word Plex in it. In 2018 I posted a thread on slickdeals.net because Plex lifetime was on sale. A few months ago I got a notice that the thread had been removed due to a DMCA notice.
Okay then. Pretty please may I use the word Plex as part of a group name title and the logo, for a non-public user group of five-six people?
And while we’re at it, can we please all be allowed to use it for private non-profit use?
Markscan are notorious for being an overly aggresive and bad player in this field, so just…I don’t know…I guess try to do better than using them, please?
It’s not personal. When you hold a US trademark you are required to enforce it or it’s forfeit. There is no choice for a holder. Bottom line, you are free to think you can/should be able to use a trademarked name, and the intent may indeed be 100% innocuous. But you still can’t without a licence.
LOL This is gold. Consider the primary use for Plex, they pay a company to protect their IP, which in turn DMCA’s word-of-mouth advertising. I LOVE this.
Hey FirstAidPoetry, thanks for bringing this to our attention. We actually work closely with MarkScan to help us protect our trademarks as well as enforce ToS violations as they surface. It’s true, we’ve stepped up our enforcements over the past 12 months or so. As kaeleria points out, we have to be consistent with our brand protection efforts and request our logo be removed from websites, socials, and elsewhere. Sorry for the hassle!
The answer is no. You have to change it. Lots of other people have been moving away from using Plex’s trademarks. This is what Plex decided, and I understand the motivation. Brand confusion is a problematic thing.
What you’re doing here is not protecting your trademark, you’re using a company known for virtual clusterbombing and you’re hitting your own clients.
I realise this debate has run its course now though, and I thank you for clearing up who’s responsible for this and that you are explicitly meaning to behave this way.
You obviously either don’t comprehend, or don’t care and feel entitled. It’s a LEGAL requirement for them to do so. Those of us that hold Trademarks have to jump through certain hoops. They are not ‘behaving’ any certain way. If a violation is brought to their attention they are REQUIRED to follow through. Period.
