Microsoft's LinkedIn Attempts to Stop U.K. Trademark for 'KinkedIn'

Microsoft's LinkedIn Attempts to Stop U.K. Trademark for 'KinkedIn'

LONDON — British pro domme LadybossUK has received notice from Microsoft lawyers filing to stop her move to trademark the name "KinkedIn." The burgeoning entrepreneur was attempting to claim the name for her new online BDSM community.

“The kink scene in the U.K. is pretty poor, pretty behind the times and cloak-‘n-dagger,” LadybossUK said. “There are only a few sites worth their salt and none of them seemed to have everything I wanted: instant chatting, uncensored photos, video chats, a public verification process, chat rooms and an optional ghost mode to hide.” 

So LadybossUK teamed up with a technology-minded friend to create 'Kinkedin,' which she says has found popularity in Los Angeles as well as the U.K.

“We wanted to keep this as a personal site, built for the users and their requirements  — we want your feedback,” LadybossUK said. “And we want to address the fact that there’s a real shortage of ladies on kink sites, so we’ve given all women free access to the site’s premium areas. Lastly, we wanted to be affordable so we charge an optional premium fee of $5.50. 

“So far there’s been only one hiccup,” LadybossUK explained, “we seem to have encountered the Microsoft lawyers along the way.”

The issue arose when Microsoft filed a formal opposition in response to LadybossUK’s August trademark application filed with the U.K. Intellectual Property Office because of similarities to the name of its site, LinkedIn.

LadybossUK says that she tried to contact Microsoft for a compromise but was unable to reach its lawyers after a number of attempts.

She says time is of the essence as she has only a matter of weeks to build a case arguing for the trademark's legitimacy — namely that they target different clients in a different market.

“Any Kinky IPO lawyers out there than can give us some pro- boner — sorry, pro bono — help,” LadybossUK jokes, “feel free to get in touch.”

Follow 'Kinkedin' on Twitter and Instagram. Registration for the site is now open at KinkedIn.one.

Related:  

Copyright © 2024 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

Tyler Wu Guests on Chaturbate's 'Sex Tales' Podcast

Tyler Wu is the latest guest on Chaturbate’s “Sex Tales” podcast, hosted by Melissa Stratton and Vanniall on the company’s “Camming Life” YouTube channel.

Fleshy to Launch Interactive Cam Site 'Eremote'

Male pleasure brand Fleshy has announced that it will launch an interactive, bidirectional cam site next month called Eremote.

XBIZ LA Show Introduces New 'Crib Crawl' Feature

XBIZ is pleased to announce that the 2025 edition of its flagship conference, the XBIZ Show, will debut a brand-new feature: Crib Crawl, offering attendees the chance to meet and greet representatives from leading brands and organizations in dedicated suites at the host venue.

Pre-Nominations Now Open for 2025 TEAs

The pre-nomination period for the 2025 Trans Erotica Awards (TEAs) is now open.

Byborg Invests $22.35M in PLBY Group

Luxembourg-based Byborg Enterprises SA is investing $22.35 million in Playboy parent company PLBY Group.

Supreme Court to Hear Oral Arguments on Texas AV Law in January

The United States Supreme Court has scheduled oral arguments for Free Speech Coalition's challenge to Texas’ age verification law to take place Wednesday, Jan. 15.

2025 XBIZ Exec Awards Nominees for Online Industry Announced

XBIZ is pleased to announce the nominees for the online industry edition of the 2025 XBIZ Exec Awards, set to be presented as part of the annual XBIZ Honors ceremony on Wednesday, Jan. 15 in conjunction with the XBIZ 2025 conference.

Project 2025 Leader Claims Big Tech Companies 'Deliberately Fuel Pornography Addiction' Among Men

Heritage Foundation president and Project 2025 leader Kevin Roberts published on Wednesday the text of a speech in which he persists with his past claim that “predatory Big Tech corporations” are “deliberately fueling pornography addiction” among young men.

FSC Petitions 10th Circuit for Review of Utah AV Dismissal

Free Speech Coalition (FSC) on Wednesday petitioned the United States Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit to review a decision handed down earlier this month by a three-judge panel of the same appeals court, which denied FSC the right to challenge Utah’s controversial age verification law by suing state officials.

MyAdultAttorney's Corey D. Silverstein to Hold Post-Election Legal Impact Webinar

Industry attorney Corey D. Silverstein will hold a “Legal Impact” webinar titled “We Have a New U.S. President: Legal and Community Implications” on Nov. 12 at 1 p.m. PST.

Show More