If GodTube.com, a religion-centric video site can exist, then so can TeachBook. I don't see how any company can own generic words when used as part of a phrase, even when the industry is the same. I can certainly create a company called MicroChime or YouChime or ChimeSoft.
If Youtube had sent cease and desist letters to Godtube and other "-tubes", and escalated to court if the person hadn't ceased and desisted, it probably would have worked. (This doesn't get into the morality or cool/uncoolness or business strategy or PR aspects of it, it's just trademark law)
> I don't see how any company can own generic words when used as part of a phrase, even when the industry is the same.
Actually, that's exactly what a trademark is. Owning generic words and phrasings in the same industry.
> I can certainly create a company called MicroChime or YouChime or ChimeSoft.
Debatable. MicroChime would probably be okay if you sold small chimes. If you sold operating systems and business software, you'd absolutely get a cease and desist, and you'd almost certainly lose if it went to court. Again, this doesn't get into the morality of it, just how trademarks generally work these days.
