A Michigan based company claims that Facebook's new "Want" button closely mirrors a button and associated service it has marketed for over two years. The company has filed a lawsuit against Facebook with a Flint federal court, claiming the social media giant's introduction of the button infringes on its trademark and has created confusion among consumers.
The plaintiff has requested unspecified damages for the alleged violation of its intellectual property, as well as any profits that Facebook has received from the button. The lawsuit also demands that Facebook immediately cease its use of the want button.
The Michigan business operates a website through which it has marketed its own want button since 2010, allowing consumers to keep a list of services and products in which they are interest. The service has attracted several high-profile partners, including Burlington Coat Factory, Sharper Image and Atlantic Records, but claims that Facebook's button is confusing customers and making it more difficult to do business. The company's lawsuit claims that the website has received numerous questions regarding a connection between Facebook's new want button and its own service, even though Facebook's button has yet to see widespread implementation.
Facebook announced the launch of its want button in early October 2012, which will allow users to click the button for a given product and be taken to another site where they can purchase the item. Then Facebook automatically posts a note about the action to the user's Timeline, similar to what occurs with the site's popular "Like" button. Retailers like Pottery Barn, Michael Kors and Smith Optics have already signed on to participate in Facebook's trial of the new button. Facebook has also started testing a similar "Collect" button.
Facebook declined requests for comments on the pending litigation. The plaintiff's attorney also could not be reached.
Source: Mlive.com, "Facebook sued in Flint federal court over new 'want' button," Gary Ridley, Oct. 16, 2012
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