# Trademarking Pi. What's worse, granting the trademark or that this asshat thinks he can own it? **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [June 3, 2014, 12:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trademarking-pi-whats-worse-granting-the-trademark-or-that-this-asshat-thinks-he-can-own-it/689915 "2014-06-03T12:50:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2014, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trademarking-pi-whats-worse-granting-the-trademark-or-that-this-asshat-thinks-he-can-own-it/689915/21 "2014-06-03T16:08:06Z")
I’m trademarking the symbols 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9. Mathematicians, statisticians, accountants, number crunchers of any sort, math teachers, math textbook publishers, all will have to pay royalties to ME!!! Say, I see these symbols in use on this web page! It’s MINE!!! ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2014, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trademarking-pi-whats-worse-granting-the-trademark-or-that-this-asshat-thinks-he-can-own-it/689915/22 "2014-06-03T16:11:54Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > Dibs on “S”. DC Comics beat you to it. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Gagundathar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a183cd/32.png) [@Gagundathar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gagundathar)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2014, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trademarking-pi-whats-worse-granting-the-trademark-or-that-this-asshat-thinks-he-can-own-it/689915/23 "2014-06-03T16:16:42Z")
I am patenting the idea of patents AND trademarks. And the letters ‘T’, ‘t’ and just for kicks, ‘Q’. And the name “Gagundathar The Inexplicable!” Including the trailing bang symbol. ---
**Author:** ![Smeghead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f1d935/32.png) [@Smeghead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smeghead)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2014, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trademarking-pi-whats-worse-granting-the-trademark-or-that-this-asshat-thinks-he-can-own-it/689915/24 "2014-06-03T16:24:29Z")
> [@RTFirefly](#): > > I’m trademarking the symbols 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9. > > Mathematicians, statisticians, accountants, number crunchers of any sort, math teachers, math textbook publishers, all will have to pay royalties to ME!!! :eek::eek: Dude! Dude. It’s way, WAAAAY better than that! You know that guy who owns pi? HE OWES YOU INFINITE DOLLARS!!! MIND BLOWN ---
**Author:** ![Ranger\_Jeff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ranger_jeff/32/2065_2.png) [@Ranger\_Jeff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranger_Jeff)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2014, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trademarking-pi-whats-worse-granting-the-trademark-or-that-this-asshat-thinks-he-can-own-it/689915/25 "2014-06-03T16:33:15Z")
I’m going to get the rights to the word “enter”. Anytime it’s used, any time someone presses a button labeled with “enter”, anytime someone goes through a doorway marked “enter”, someone will have to pay me. ---
**Author:** ![Gedd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gedd/32/4938_2.png) [@Gedd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gedd)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2014, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trademarking-pi-whats-worse-granting-the-trademark-or-that-this-asshat-thinks-he-can-own-it/689915/26 "2014-06-03T16:57:09Z")
> [@Ranger\_Jeff](#): > > I’m going to get the rights to the word “enter”. Anytime it’s used, any time someone presses a button labeled with “enter”, anytime someone goes through a doorway marked “enter”, someone will have to pay me. Ha! HP anticipated your move and labeled this one “Enter.” Ha! Ha! Defeated by a capital! ---
**Author:** ![Corner\_Case](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/corner_case/32/234_2.png) [@Corner\_Case](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Corner_Case)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2014, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trademarking-pi-whats-worse-granting-the-trademark-or-that-this-asshat-thinks-he-can-own-it/689915/27 "2014-06-03T17:25:18Z")
I’m patenting the space - in all fonts and languages. ---
**Author:** ![Jas09](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/d07c76/32.png) [@Jas09](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jas09)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2014, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trademarking-pi-whats-worse-granting-the-trademark-or-that-this-asshat-thinks-he-can-own-it/689915/28 "2014-06-03T18:02:24Z")
> [@Skywatcher](#): > > This isn’t the first time the Greek letter has been registered. A pizzeria has been using it since '86 and has been registered (#4262848) for 18 months. > > I wonder if that pizzeria sells any apparel emblazoned with Pi. They do (assuming it’s the one in St. Louis). It’s delicious, btw. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2014, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trademarking-pi-whats-worse-granting-the-trademark-or-that-this-asshat-thinks-he-can-own-it/689915/29 "2014-06-03T18:10:25Z")
I’m going to trademark the trademark symbol. BWHAHEAHAHAHA, yeah bitches! ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2014, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trademarking-pi-whats-worse-granting-the-trademark-or-that-this-asshat-thinks-he-can-own-it/689915/30 "2014-06-03T18:16:56Z")
> [@KarlGauss](#): > > “π.” Reported for trademark infringement. ---
**Author:** ![Dead\_Cat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9fc29f/32.png) [@Dead\_Cat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dead_Cat)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2014, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trademarking-pi-whats-worse-granting-the-trademark-or-that-this-asshat-thinks-he-can-own-it/689915/31 "2014-06-03T18:51:26Z")
[Relevant SMBC comic.](http://www.smbc-comics.com/?id=3372#comic) ---
**Author:** ![DMC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dmc/32/18049_2.png) [@DMC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DMC)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2014, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trademarking-pi-whats-worse-granting-the-trademark-or-that-this-asshat-thinks-he-can-own-it/689915/32 "2014-06-04T01:02:44Z")
> [@Gagundathar](#): > > I am patenting the idea of patents AND trademarks. > > And the letters ‘T’, ‘t’ and just for kicks, ‘Q’. > > And the name “Gagundathar The Inexplicable!” > > Including the trailing bang symbol. You can have that ‘Q’, but I’m taking ‘u’, and that’s going to fuck with your qi, you qat-chewing faqir. ---
**Author:** ![lisiate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f05b48/32.png) [@lisiate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lisiate)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2014, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trademarking-pi-whats-worse-granting-the-trademark-or-that-this-asshat-thinks-he-can-own-it/689915/33 "2014-06-04T02:20:55Z")
> [@RTFirefly](#): > > I’m trademarking the symbols 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9. > > Mathematicians, statisticians, accountants, number crunchers of any sort, math teachers, math textbook publishers, all will have to pay royalties to ME!!! > > Say, I see these symbols in use on this web page! It’s MINE!!! Lucky for you Microsoft’s patents of [0 and 1](http://www.theonion.com/articles/microsoft-patents-ones-zeroes,599/) seem to have expired. ---
**Author:** ![flatlined](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/eb9ed0/32.png) [@flatlined](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flatlined)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2014, 3:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trademarking-pi-whats-worse-granting-the-trademark-or-that-this-asshat-thinks-he-can-own-it/689915/34 "2014-06-04T03:36:31Z")
Too bad for Paul Ingrisano, I have a college notebook from 10 years ago that clearly shows that I correctly calculated Pi to 12 pages. I have first rights to those 12 pages, so he only get the numbers after that. HAHA!!! He’s are going to owe me every time he tries to get his numbers right!!! ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Miskatonic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mr.miskatonic/32/310_2.png) [@Mr.Miskatonic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Miskatonic)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2014, 3:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trademarking-pi-whats-worse-granting-the-trademark-or-that-this-asshat-thinks-he-can-own-it/689915/35 "2014-06-04T03:48:11Z")
> [@RTFirefly](#): > > I’m trademarking the symbols 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9. > > Mathematicians, statisticians, accountants, number crunchers of any sort, math teachers, math textbook publishers, all will have to pay royalties to ME!!! > > Say, I see these symbols in use on this web page! It’s MINE!!! [Way too late on two of those!](http://www.theonion.com/articles/microsoft-patents-ones-zeroes,599/) Microsoft is gonna sue your butt! ---
**Author:** ![kambuckta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/53a042/32.png) [@kambuckta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kambuckta)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2014, 5:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trademarking-pi-whats-worse-granting-the-trademark-or-that-this-asshat-thinks-he-can-own-it/689915/36 "2014-06-04T05:20:50Z")
> [@Zebra](#): > > What the fuck are they smoking at the patent office? > [@kayaker](#): > > We won’t know till the patent expires.☹ Now _that’s_ funny! ---
**Author:** ![AK84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85e7bf/32.png) [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2014, 6:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trademarking-pi-whats-worse-granting-the-trademark-or-that-this-asshat-thinks-he-can-own-it/689915/37 "2014-06-04T06:17:31Z")
The actual trademark award ([published here by CNET who claims this is the one is question)](http://www.cnet.com/news/artist-trademarks-pi-geeks-despair/) seems to be ok. I am not sure if the bile is warranted. ---
**Author:** ![Jragon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e19b73/32.png) [@Jragon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jragon)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2014, 7:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trademarking-pi-whats-worse-granting-the-trademark-or-that-this-asshat-thinks-he-can-own-it/689915/38 "2014-06-04T07:39:33Z")
I’ve trademarked all expressions, objects, and/or entities that match, or can be described or represented in a way that matches, the regular expression .\* ---
**Author:** ![Grrr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grrr/32/146_2.png) [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2014, 8:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trademarking-pi-whats-worse-granting-the-trademark-or-that-this-asshat-thinks-he-can-own-it/689915/39 "2014-06-04T08:15:53Z")
[That’s Hot.](http://xfinity.comcast.net/slideshow/entertainment-celebtrademarks/3/) ---
**Author:** ![Gagundathar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a183cd/32.png) [@Gagundathar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gagundathar)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2014, 8:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trademarking-pi-whats-worse-granting-the-trademark-or-that-this-asshat-thinks-he-can-own-it/689915/40 "2014-06-04T08:26:32Z")
> [@AK84](#): > > The actual trademark award ([published here by CNET who claims this is the one is question)](http://www.cnet.com/news/artist-trademarks-pi-geeks-despair/) seems to be ok. I am not sure if the bile is warranted. It may be legit, but it seems irrational to me. :dubious: [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trademarking-pi-whats-worse-granting-the-trademark-or-that-this-asshat-thinks-he-can-own-it/689915.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trademarking-pi-whats-worse-granting-the-trademark-or-that-this-asshat-thinks-he-can-own-it/689915.md?page=3)