For you old folks (over 18) who aren’t up on the latest lingo, the word for the day is Pwn, and its derivatives: Pwned, Pwnage.
- Urban Dictionary definition .
- Internet for beginners explanation.
- The authoritative Wikipedia entry for Pwn.
- Wiktionary entry.
A Finnish company, Futuremark Oy Corporation, has filed for trademark registration for PWNAGE for the following goods and services:
Computer game software for communication devices; computer game software and computer game programs enabling users to play games with mobile phones and personal digital assistants; computer software and programs enabling users to communication devices to simultaneously access databases and global computer networks; software enabling transfer of data between mobile communication apparatus; computer game software; computer game programs; computer game discs; interactive multimedia computer game program; downloadable ring tones, graphics and music via global computer network and wireless devices; cases for mobile phones; computer application software for mobile phones; multimedia software recorded on CD-ROM featuring fictional characters and computer games; pre-recorded DVD’s, video tapes, laser discs featuring movies about fictional characters, and pre-recorded compact discs featuring music; motion picture films on fictional characters (source)
Lets use Pwn in context:
Example 1: These ass hats tried to trademark* PWNAGE, so hundreds of people filed oppositions. The applicant was pwned.
Example 2: OH NOES! Trademark PWNAGE!
ALL YOUR TRADEMARK ARE BELONG TO US!
Futuremark Oy Corp., U R PWNED
The mark was published for opposition on May 20. It sure seems funny that the USPTO relies upon wikipedia and urban dictionary to find support for idiotic “immoral and scandalous” rejections, but that they don’t seem to know that PWNAGE is so commonly used in the gamer community that no one single company should be able to restrict its use.
I really hope that someone files an opposition.
*Formally speaking “trademark” should not be used as a verb.
