This is corporate overreach. They're suing a little guy to set a precedent. But this is the first time that I recall in the tech world a trademark holder is trying to extend their reach to a common nickname. JS could stand for many things.
Is this parody? Surely Oracle cannot start enforcing its trademark after 20 years of ignoring it.
EDIT: Apparently it's a legit trademark (I searched for it and it's active). Here's a recent post about it from Ryan Dahl: https://tinyclouds.org/trademark
You need to actively defend a trademark to keep it protected. Formally registering it is neither sufficient nor necessary.
Also as someone pointed out on Twitter it's probably not even in the right category to protect against the use in educational material. Also even if it were it's probably nominative fair use anyways.
I broadly think you are right, but there's an added layer of complexity here: UK company naming law. You can't even use words like "British" or "Royal" in your company name without meeting various conditions, so using anyone else's trademark is definitely out (and it's very easy for said holder to object without being subject to having their use of the trademark interrogated).
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[ 3.4 ms ] story [ 21.0 ms ] threadDisclaimer: I hate Oracle
Yes, the precedent that they actively defend their trademark.
If they don’t and someone challenges it they will most likely lose it and then it’s out with the Kleenex.
https://lwn.net/Articles/928739/
EDIT: Apparently it's a legit trademark (I searched for it and it's active). Here's a recent post about it from Ryan Dahl: https://tinyclouds.org/trademark
Also as someone pointed out on Twitter it's probably not even in the right category to protect against the use in educational material. Also even if it were it's probably nominative fair use anyways.
They'll defend it to avoid genericide.
https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/genericide