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Fred08.com Steps on another "Fred's" Toes
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ShareSeptember 12, 2007 1:53 AM
ABC News' Christine Byun reports: Republican Candidate Fred Thompson's website - Fred08.com - has stepped on another Fred's toes.
The campaign's site is currently calling for submissions to rename its audio and video section, which was formerly titled "FredCast," because a cycling website (www.thefredcast.com) is christened with the same name. The “original” FredCast owner is actually named David Bernstein, a cycling enthusiast who records weekly podcasts and blogs about the latest biking gear for fellow “Freds,” a term he says refers to someone "who is very much into cycling and into the technology of cycling."
Bernstein says he came across Thompson's "FredCast" and contacted the campaign in August. In that letter, which he also posted on his site, he chided the campaign for not doing a "simple Google and/or iTunes search" and asked the campaign to "immediately change the name of your podcast to something which does not infringe on my well-earned mark." After speaking with a campaign lawyer on Monday, they agreed Bernstein - who had been using the name for about two years - would keep his FredCast.
“I am just a podcaster, if you will … and this is a presidential candidate and I thought, will they respond? Will they take this seriously?” Bernstein says he wondered. “But, they did treat me respectfully and they did take action.”
So, Fred – the one running for President – might be able to count on Bernstein’s vote. Bernstein – who identifies himself as a conservative Republican – says he hasn't made up his mind quite yet. Even before the naming brouhaha, he says he's "probably closer to a Thompson supporter" based on what he knows of the candidate.
But…
"Whether I support him or not, he cannot use my name," Bernstein says.
September 12, 2007 in Thompson, Fred | Permalink | User Comments (5)
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The link in the story should be to thefredcast.com, not fredcast.com
Posted by: FredCast Fan | Sep 12, 2007 11:45:02 AM
It's great to see respect of the little people! Congratulations to both "Freds"...
DaveP
(UK)
P.S. It's www.THEfredcast.com ;-)
Posted by: DaveP | Sep 12, 2007 12:22:53 PM
And, naturally, ABC chose to spin the headline as a negative for Fred - so typical. Guess ya gotta keep your bosses at the DNC happy, eh, ABC?
Posted by: jdawg | Sep 12, 2007 4:25:10 PM
The biking guy needs to take a hike...there is no product confusion of dilution here, there is no trademark or copyright violation. Geesh, get a life.
Posted by: Trevor | Sep 12, 2007 5:00:49 PM
I don't see how hiking would fit into biking.
I'm glad that both parties are happy and to be honest this is a simple name to change. Not a big thing if it keeps everybody happy and you know sometimes it is nice for the little guy to be taken serious and to be respected. As a Small Business owner I can respect David Bernstein request and I'm glad that Fred Thompson saw it the way he did. A small token that doesn't cost anything but makes a difference.
Posted by: Hugh Tidwell | Sep 13, 2007 10:04:53 AM
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