Commentaries

LEONARDO, Vol. 33, No. 4, pp. 325–326, 2000 325© 2000 ISAST COMMENTARIES Received 5 April 2000 Dear Roger: I have read with astonishment and horror that a commercial firm which had recently begun to use the name “Leonardo” had decided to attack Leonardo/ISAST, an internationally recognized and applauded cultural enterprise , which has been using “Leonardo” for over three decades. Leonardo/ISAST, through its publications , awards, and other activities, has provided a meeting place for the world of artists and scientists. In doing so, it has encouraged fruitful exchanges between these realms and added significantly to the quality of discourse from two of the most creative forces in society. It is sad to realize that any business could be so unappreciative of the arts and sciences that it would seek to damage an entirely non-competitive, nonprofit institution, just to have a slightly smaller search engine result when a popular name was typed in. I support the right of Leonardo/ ISAST and Association Leonardo to continue their use of the name LEONARDO in their websites, publications and projects. I am sending in my personal contribution to the defense fund. Please feel free to use this letter and quote from it in any manner which will help. Sincerely, Alan J. Friedman Director, New York Hall of Science Chair, Cultural Institutions Group of the City of New York New York Hall of Science 47-01 111th Street Corona, NY 11368 U.S.A. Received 9 March 2000 Roger, Voici une lettre de soutien de la fondation que tu peux utiliser à guise si tu le juge utile. Daniel Langlois a acceté de verser une petite somme de 1000 $ comme contribution à votre fond de défense. Nous convenons tous que c’est une somme symbolique mais, nous l’espérons, utile. Il faudrait que tu me donnes l’adresse postale pour que j’envoie le chèque. Bien à toi et bonne chance avec tout ça. Jean Gagnon Directeur des programmes Fondation Daniel Langlois 3530 boul. Saint-Laurent, bureau 402 Montréal, Québec Canada H2X 2V1 www.fondation-langlois.org Received 27 April 2000 I am outraged that Transasia has targeted the journal Leonardo for a trademark infringement suit. The Leonardo Journal has earned its name recognition through decades of unswerving commitment to exploring the common ground between artists and scientists. Among art and science professionals alike it is a recognized leader in a research culture founded on the unfettered circulation of ideas. To permit Transasia’s financiers to usurp the venerable journal’s title for their own profit would be to abandon the research ethic that gave us the Internet in favor of simply reinforcing the culture of greed. Leonardo the man is a fitting emblem for a journal founded to stimulate artistic and technological investigation. If Transasia is looking for a figurehead to signify the presumption that economic might makes right, there are plenty of more appropriate candidates. (Have you considered Bill Gates?) Sincerely, Jon Ippolito Assistant Curator of Media Arts Guggenheim Museum 575 Broadway, 3rd floor New York, NY 10012-4233 U.S.A. Received 8 March 2000 This is to confirm that in the dispute between Transasia and Leonardo/ ISAST I support ISAST in their legitimate and pre-existing use of the name “Leonardo” for their electronic magazine and other publications. I believe that even without ISAST filing a counter-suit, the court should in fact award damages to ISAST to cover the legal expenses they have suffered through this unwarranted lawsuit. It is important for the future to set a precedent , so that frivolous and brute-force intimidation of this sort is strongly discouraged —and only monetary means will speak to such people. It is further an indication of weaknesses in the review process that Transasia was incorrectly awarded an exclusivity on a name that was both a common first name, and the name of a 30 year old publication . This too should be reviewed. How could their capricious, uninformed and unilateral action be binding on anyone ? If they are atheists who don’t follow such things, will they award me an exclusive use license for the name “Jesus,” or “Muhammad”? And if they do, will the French...