So far, I haven't cross-posted anything between Active Rain and my outside world blog. But I think I'll make an exception here. This is a very interesting situation, and Rainers may want to follow along:
Tech people have been using the term "Web 2.0" for a while now. Back in August, David G posted a simple way of understanding Web 2.0 in a comment on Rain City Guide, which is basically this: "Web 1.0 was the web you could read. Web 2.0 is the web you can both read and *write*. "
Anyone can read this post in here in Active Rain, and anyone/everyone can write a comment back, creating a dialogue. Web 2.0 is interactive. Web 1.0 was static.
Real Estate people seemed to like that whole idea, and several have started using the term "Real Estate 2.0" in one context or another, usually to indicate a higher level of client involvment, and transparency in the real estate transaction.
An edgy, new blog turned up with the name "Real Estate 2.0"
OK. Well it turns out, alternative-business-model real estate start-up, Redfin, says they have registered the term "Real Estate 2.0" as a trademark. And the Real Estate 2.0 blog received a letter to cease and desist.
You can bet this has sparked plenty of discussion in the Real Estate Blogosphere:
Sellius: http://blog.sellsiusrealestate.com/?p=2100
Bloodhound: http://www.bloodhoundrealty.com/BloodhoundBlog/?p=355
360 Digest: http://360digest.com/2006/09/19/real-estate-20-tm/
Ardell on RCG: http://www.raincityguide.com/2006/09/19/jeez-louise-web-20/
Ande here's the original Real Estate 2.0, now known as Real Estate 2.x: http://realestate20.wordpress.com/2006/09/19/real-estate-20-renaming-ceremony/
I'm thinking I better get out there and trademark some neat-sounding phrases for myself! And I think I've made just enough edits to the post that I won't be hit with the dreaded duplicate content demerit.
