Arduino Blog: "Kickstarter, Trademarks and Lies"... Huh?
A few days ago Massimo Banzi posted on the Arduino Blog, "Kickstarter, Trademarks and Lies." Banzi's issue is one of trademark, and that Kickstarter offered no way to file a claim or moderate a dispute. This seems to be a key component of online marketplaces that Kickstarter-- a victim of its own success-- just hasn't gotten to yet.
Kickstarter remained silent, but in addition to the public, smARtDUINO founder Dimitri Albino took the opportunity to chime in in the comments section Banzi noted that this was the first time he had been in any contact with Albino, and the comments continued as Albino defended the project and himself. But too many people spoke up, defending and attacking both sides, and Albino unfortunately did not stay above the fray.
I saw the Kickstarter weeks ago, and it seemed obvious then that Albino went too far with the title: "smARtDUINO: Open System by former ARDUINO's manufacturer." On top of the heavy coattail-riding, there's too much, "we're better, we know," as if he invented miniaturization and modular connectors. It's obnoxious. I hoped there would be some contact from the Arduino team and some editing on Albino's part, but unfortunately Banzi could find no recourse other than posting publicly.
Kickstarter remained silent, but in addition to the public, smARtDUINO founder Dimitri Albino took the opportunity to chime in in the comments section Banzi noted that this was the first time he had been in any contact with Albino, and the comments continued as Albino defended the project and himself. But too many people spoke up, defending and attacking both sides, and Albino unfortunately did not stay above the fray.
I saw the Kickstarter weeks ago, and it seemed obvious then that Albino went too far with the title: "smARtDUINO: Open System by former ARDUINO's manufacturer." On top of the heavy coattail-riding, there's too much, "we're better, we know," as if he invented miniaturization and modular connectors. It's obnoxious. I hoped there would be some contact from the Arduino team and some editing on Albino's part, but unfortunately Banzi could find no recourse other than posting publicly.