I am an Urban Homesteader

There is a brouhaha going on right now, about a certain company trademarking the terms "Urban Homestead" and "Urban Homesteading".

And the on-line community is rightly calling bullshit.

Now, let me be clear here:  I have no problem with a business protecting a trademarked name, logo, slogan, etc.  That is not what is happening here though.  The Dervaes are sending cease-and-desist letters to bloggers for daring to use those terms on their blogs.  Using a phrase in a blog post, or even in the name of a blog, especially when that blog is not commercial in nature, and pre-dates the Dervaes' trademark, is simply... well, words fail me, but it is causing a backlash that will affect the Dervaes for some time, I'm sure.

Posts for background reading:


http://www.thecrunchychicken.com/2011/02/urban-homesteaders-cease-and-desist.html

http://blogs.ocweekly.com/stickaforkinit/2011/02/pasadena_family_trademarks_the.php

http://www.rootsimple.com/2011/02/why-did-we-change-our-name.html


A Facebook page was started to declare OUR ownership of those terms. 

WE, the gardeners, the chicken-keepers, the growers and harvesters, the planters, the seed-keepers, we will continue to do what we do, no matter who is trying to trademark our passion.




I am an urban homesteader.



Now, go ahead and sue me.  I double dog dare you ;)




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Update:  

Other blog posts along the same theme:
http://fightingsharks.blogspot.com/2011/02/i-am-urban-home-steader.html?showComment=1297902145704#c554727962906215631

http://deniseintn.blogspot.com/2011/02/i-am-urban-homesteader.html

http://champagnewishesandcoupondreams.blogspot.com/2011/02/i-am-urban-homesteader.html 

http://www.halfacrehomestead.com/2011/02/urban-homesteaders-unite/ 

http://brandesaysnom.blogspot.com/2011/02/trademarking-way-of-life.html


http://www.farmcurious.com/trademarks-patents-thieves-oh-my/

http://growandresist.com/2011/02/16/urban-homestead-act-2-1/


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o1km4x8YB9M

http://viggiesveggies.com/?p=1197 

http://chilechews.blogspot.com/2011/02/mistakes-were-madebut-not-by-me.html 

http://heirloomgardens.blogspot.com/2011/02/i-am-urban-homesteader.html