[jsprogrammer]

Why should über have to bear the costs of Uber's 'business model'?

Clearly some of Uber's customers (and want-to-be customers) want to contact Uber this way. Instead, Uber enjoys having them deflected to some other business to deal with and rationalizes it as 'not in our business model'.

Obviously this is not surprising given the other parts of Uber's 'business model', whereby they attempt to absolve themselves of all kinds of liability by 'contracting' with their workforce (I mean employees) [I mean drivers].

I don't know if Uber has published its 'business model', but I wouldn't be surprised if it was short and to the point: 'Externalize all costs. Internalize all profits.'

[curun1r]

über should contact Lyft and ask for a number that they can give callers. If Uber is unwilling to step up and service these customers/providers, then the customers/providers should be sent to someone who will. If Uber objects, über can just say, "It's not our business model to act as your free phone support."

[jsprogrammer]

über likely also has a legal claim against Uber for infringing on their rights and marks. Clearly Uber has confused the market if this smaller business is having to handle hundreds of callers trying to reach Uber.

Massive infringement lawsuit with actual + punitive damages is probably in order. Would likely be poetic justice, at least.

[tommorris]

And the risk in legal costs of one woman and her small design agency going up against Uber? If it happened, Uber would find a way to milk über completely dry.

Normal, human-sized companies can't go up against venture-backed empires run by people with egos the size of football stadiums because the costs and risks of legal action is so massively stacked in favour of the rich and powerful.

[ghshephard]

Possibly if über was in the car transportation business. Which they are not.

[ada1981]

I'm curious what happens if someone holds a trademark for an unrelated business and then they pivot into a new market. What if she decides she wants to begin to offer rides.. Just curious around trademark law here, any ideas?

[ghshephard]

For an example of this: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apple_Corps_v_Apple_Computer

You file your trademark for a particular type of business - it does not give you the right to practice that business elsewhere.

For example, McDonalds Hardware, a fairly popular Hardware business, does not have the right to open up a McDonalds FastFood restaurant.