Facebook has hit back at a lawsuit, filed by CVG-SAB last month, which claims that the social network has copied its “Want” button idea.
According to a report published by MLive earlier today, Facebook is arguing that the word “want” is a common term that people use frequently in everyday life. As a result, CVG-SAB shouldn’t be able to claim any ownership of it as an idea or product on the Internet.
As part of its counterclaim, Facebook has reportedly said: “In this particular case, ‘want’ allows a consumer to express his or her need or desire for a retail product or service.”
Facebook is rumoured to be testing a “Want” button on its social network at the moment, which will supplement the “Like” button which has become almost synonymous with the company in recent years.
Businesses will therefore be able to use the “Want” button to direct consumers to a website, entirely independent of Facebook, where they can purchase their products or services. The concept is likely to be included as part of its Collections feature, which takes after Pinterest but was taken down last month.
Businesses who are thought to have taken part in Facebook’s trial of the “Want” button include Neiman Marcus, Wayfair and Victoria’s Secret, among others.
CVG-SAB, a company based in Michigan, filed a lawsuit against Facebook last month, claiming that the new feature closely resembled one of its own products, wantbutton.com.
The company also runs a social network, simply called Want, which helps shoppers find and promote the products they want to own. This website also incorporates a “Want” button underneath each item.
As a result, CVG-SAB claims that existence of the “Want” button on Facebook is causing confusion online – even though it technically doesn’t exist yet.
“Facebook’s unauthorized use of Plaintiff’s WANT mark has already caused confusion in the marketplace, to Plaintiff’s substantial and irreparable harm,” the lawsuit said. “Facebook’s conduct is intentional, as it had prior knowledge of Plaintiff’s use off, and superior rights in, Plaintiff’s WANT mark. Despite such knowledge, Facebook forged ahead in disregard of Plaintiff’s trademark rights.”
CVG-SAB is now asking for a temporary, preliminary, and permanent injunction against the “Want” button being developed by Facebook, as well as any damages that may have occured as a result of the button’s existence.
Facebook, however, is now reportedly asking the court to rule that it is not violating any trademark rights, and that CVG-SAB should not be allowed any trademarks for its “Want” button.
Zuckerberg’s empire clearly doesn’t plan on rolling over in regards to CVG-SAB’s claims. The right to trademark a button with the word “want” on it does seem a bit unfair, but we’ll be following this case to find out the court’s final decision.
Image Credit: Ed Jones/AFP/Getty Images
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