Weemote
 | This article needs to be updated. (May 2018) |
The Weemote is a television remote control made by Fobis Technologies that was designed for young children.
Design
[edit]The Weemote was designed for younger children to limit their ability to surf television channels, and also to partially serve as a learning tool. The remote looks like a toy with buttons that are different colors and specific shapes. Each button can be programmed to a specific television channel.[1] There are several variants of the product, Weemote 2,[2] an updated version, and Weemote Sr., intended for the elderly.[3][4]
Trademark violation claims against Nintendo
[edit]The term "Weemote" was originally trademarked in 2000 by Fobis Technologies.[5] While spelled differently, the term "Weemote" is phonetically identical to "Wiimote", the unofficial term for the Wii Remote, Nintendo's controller for the Wii which debuted six years later in 2006.[5][6] Fobis Technologies claims this to be trademark infringement, however Nintendo does not actually use the term "Wiimote" in official promotional materials; many retailers that sell the Wii Remote do use the term.[6] Fobis sent out up to 100 cease and desist letters to retailers and have made offers to Nintendo for them to purchase the trademark.[5][6] Nintendo declined the offer, stating that it "does not use and does not plan to use the Weemote trademark".[7]
References
[edit]- ^ "Fobis Technologies Weemote Kids' Remote Control". Retrieved 2008-08-01.
- ^ Tonks, Daniel. "Weemote 2 Kids' Remote Control Review". Remote Central. Retrieved 2 December 2023.
- ^ Tonks, Daniel. "Weemote Sr. Remote Control Review". Remote Central. Retrieved 2 December 2023.
- ^ "Senior-Friendly Television Remotes". Savvy Senior. Retrieved 2 December 2023.
- ^ a b c Padgett, Tim (2008-07-18). "The Weemote vs. Wiimote Tiff". Time. Archived from the original on July 21, 2008. Retrieved 2008-08-01.
- ^ a b c "Small Firm's Weemote Came First, But Steamrolled by Nintendo's Wiimote". GamePolitics.com. 2008-07-23. Retrieved 2008-08-01.
- ^ "Nintendo Comments on Weemote-Wiimote Flap; Online Retailer Pressured". GamePolitics.com. 2008-07-24. Retrieved 2008-08-01.
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