Friday, November 25, 2011

Ed's Merck KGaA Vs. Facebook Story Catches Fire -- Worldwide


Several outlets in Europe have even produced short video reports of the story, and practically every major news outlet's business page has run a story.

But Ed was the first -- at Pharmalot. Even PC mags are covering it.

You will find more, here as well. . .

. . . .Facebook "has not been cooperative" in restoring the page, and in several alleged communications appeared nonresponsive or evasive in dealing with Merck KGaA, the filing said.

"Because Facebook is an important marketing device, the page is of great value to Merck, and its misappropriation is causing harm to Merck," Merck KGaA said. "It is not clear how that happened or who is at fault nor. . . is Facebook providing clear information about what happened."

Merck KGaA said it may bring legal action alleging breach of contract and interference with its business. It did not indicate whom it may sue. Merck & Co is not a defendant.

Facebook spokesman Andrew Noyes and Merck & Co spokesman Ronald Rogers said their respective companies are looking into the matter. Merck KGaA declined to comment. . . .

We will keep you posted, but there are no additional filings or rulings in the Supreme Court of New York, yet -- we just checked. It will be very interesting to find out whether someone at the US Merck paid for the right to take-over the Facebook portal address. It is hard to imagine that Facebook would have done this all on its owm, for free -- but we shall see.

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