The problem, Ann, is that there is a slight problem when going too literal about the use of “SL”. Imagine I buy the domain name called slice.com and talk in it about how researchers are using SL to, say, investigate the properties of solid H2O. Is that a trademark violation? Well, “slice” is a common dictionary word. And so are “slug” or “slip” or “slander” or “sleeve” and so on. Not to mention words in other languages, of course. So does LL has the right to enforce the use of the two letters “SL” in any existing word?

Then we have the typical puns with unexisting words but which clearly intend to convey the notion of “Second Life something”, like, say, “slog – A Second Life resident blog” (yes, the site has a disclaimer on the trademarks). And I'm sure we can imagine quite a lot of cases where the letters “sl” happen somewhere in a fake name which is intended to represent a pun on words.

Notice that this is quite different than creating something called “SL Business” or so (a clear violation). On the other hand, http://sl.education.wikispaces.com/ would be perfectly reasonable (see examples) or http://sleducationalresources.wikispaces.com/

I'd say, the difference is really small, but attacking the fastest-growing non-entertainment use of Second Life® is really a Bad Idea…

All joking aside trademarks are trademarks. Don't use other people's trademarks period. LL needs to step up enforcement in world and run the “theft is kewl crowd” out of SL.

The problem, Ann, is that there is a slight problem when going too literal about the use of “SL”. Imagine I buy the domain name called slice.com and talk in it about how researchers are using SL to, say, investigate the properties of solid H2O. Is that a trademark violation? Well, “slice” is a common dictionary word. And so are “slug” or “slip” or “slander” or “sleeve” and so on. Not to mention words in other languages, of course. So does LL has the right to enforce the use of the two letters “SL” in any existing word?

Then we have the typical puns with unexisting words but which clearly intend to convey the notion of “Second Life something”, like, say, “slog – A Second Life resident blog” (yes, the site has a disclaimer on the trademarks). And I'm sure we can imagine quite a lot of cases where the letters “sl” happen somewhere in a fake name which is intended to represent a pun on words.

Notice that this is quite different than creating something called “SL Business” or so (a clear violation). On the other hand, http://sl.education.wikispaces.com/ would be perfectly reasonable (see examples) or http://sleducationalresources.wikispaces.com/

I'd say, the difference is really small, but attacking the fastest-growing non-entertainment use of Second Life® is really a Bad Idea…

All joking aside trademarks are trademarks. Don't use other people's trademarks period. LL needs to step up enforcement in world and run the “theft is kewl crowd” out of SL.