Microsoft Files Trademark for Joost-like Service?

May 21st, 2007

No Comments Written by Ryan

Microsoft Trademark Microsoft has filed a new trademark for a service that sounds remarkably similar to Joost. The logo being trademarked is pictured to the right, and is supposed to represent “arrowheads diverging from a disc.” While the symbol doesn’t seem all that intriguing, the services behind it certainly grab your attention:

Class: 9 Computer software for delivery of broadcast-quality video and television programming over broadband, cable, satellite and wireless networks; computer software for providing video-on-demand services; downloadable films and TV programs provided via video-on-demand; computer software for transmitting personal photos, video and music over broadband, cable, satellite and wireless networks; computer software for digital video recording; and computer software for providing a programming guide to display available video and television broadcasts and downloads

Class: 38 Broadcasting services, providing video and television programming over broadband, cable, satellite and wireless networks; and video-on-demand services via broadband networks

Class: 41 Entertainment services; providing information concerning television and video programming; providing online user guides featuring information on television and video programs available over broadband, cable, satellite and wireless networks and available via video-on-demand services; provision of non-downloadable films and TV programs via a video-on-demand service; and distribution of television shows, movies and videos for others

The trademark application was filed in Australia, and as you can see the service resembles what we know to be Microsoft TV. However, Microsoft TV has its own trademarked logo which leads us to believe that this is for a separate service.

This almost sounds like what Joost is already doing by offering high-quality programming over a broadband Internet connection. Personally I don’t think they will be going that route, but I can make an educated guess. This will probably be a new feature in the next version of Windows Vista Media Center that will help make it more interactive. Users might be able to download movies on demand (probably for a fee) and watch them immediately.

This being incorporated into Media Center also makes sense because the trademark says that it can be used for “transmitting personal photos, video and music over broadband, cable, satellite and wireless networks.” That could be referencing an easy way to share your photos, videos, and music with your friends and family through Media Center. Simply select the photo, choose someone from a contact list, and hit send…I definitely believe that sounds like something Microsoft would do since the demand for sharing media continues to rapidly increase.

To view the trademark application yourself go to this site and perform a search for number #1176435. Alternatively you can view a screenshot of the entire application by clicking on this thumbnail:

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