Ha! I can still use an exclamation mark!

I had to laugh today at a story completely unrelated to IT (no surprise there).

Germany clothing and perfume manufacturer Joop! had apparently tried to trademark the exclamation mark - but luckily the European Court of First Instance (!) saw sense and refused.

Can you imagine if this happened?!

How would we function without being able to use the punctuation in everyday correspondence?!

It would have been quite amusing though if it had succeeded just how far it would take this and also what Yahoo! would have to say about the matter.

Would you get a lawyer's letter every time you used one? It would cost them a fortune - particularly anyone that receives emails from me. I just can't help peppering my emails with them - it is an annoying habit that I am trying to break - but just don't seem to be able to.

It reminds me of a certain mobile building owner (starts with the word Port and might have some sort of cabin thrown into the mix) that sent an official letter to CRN many moons ago about the use of their brand name in a news story.

The same thing happened to Private Eye a few weeks later - but they managed to print the next few issues with said trademark in practically every headline. Genius.

Anyway - this one is for you Joop! - !!!!!!!!!!!!!!