I Own Your Face

Today I was reading the paper when I noticed that Facebook has inched closer to a trademark of the word “face” in certain contexts.  While a trademark of “Facebook” was issued years ago, the fact that “face” can be patented and trademarked might be a little scary.  When you think about all the applications which the Facebook brand can, well, brand with its recognizable blue font one gets the sense that Facebook wants to expand.
I wouldn’t be the least bit surprised if the Facebook wrist watch were right around the corner. Check the time and see your high school second period classmate’s (whom you haven’t actually spoken to in twenty years) status update.  That’s right—“Facetime” is coming—I think. Or how about a new search engine?  This search engine will annoy you with abstract hits and itemize and organize your query according to the least relevance.  I will call it “Aboutface.” I foresee Facebook dominating the online gaming experience.  Their servers will host first-person shooters and allow your friends to frag each other across cyberspace. The new system could be called, “IOwnUrFace.”
I am really curious to see how Facebook will win a trademark of the second part of their name considering the other uses such as “notebook,” “iBook,” and “Songbook” to name a few.  But make no mistake, with MySpace conceding victory to Facebook for social networking dominance and instead focusing on social entertainment, Facebook really does own your face.

Edward Burns has worked in wireless retail sales for nine years, including seven years in management.  He left wireless to get his English degree at U.C. Berkeley, but still loves to keep up with the happenings of wireless equipment.  He is a gadget freak, builds his own computers, and is an early adopter of new technologies.