14 DAY TRIAL // TurboExcel has managed to survive Microsoft but not without changing its spots in the process. In this context, TurboExcel was rebranded as Calc4Web. This move comes as a resolution of a prolonged trademark dispute dating back to 2004. Microsoft and Savvysoft have jointly announced what both companies referred to as an amicable resolution.
The terms of the agreement between Microsoft and Savvysoft were not made public by either company; still, one aspect that both parties shared was the fact that neither of them admitted liability. Although Savvysoft initially disputed Microsoft's claims related to the Excel trademark, it did in the end rebrand the product to Calc4Web.
A Microsoft spokesman, Jack Evans, welcomed the agreement and the fact that the Redmond Company has made a stand on an issue concerning intellectual property rights associated with the name of its trademarked Excel spreadsheet software. Also as a result of the trademark resolution, Microsoft announced that it will co-market Calc4Web on its Office Marketplace Web site. "Resolving this dispute is in the best interest of our customers," said Rich Tanenbaum, President and founder of Savvysoft. "Much more can be gained by everyone if Savvysoft and Microsoft enjoy a mutually beneficial relationship."
Tanenbaum's words differ quite radically in comparison with his original position on the matter, back in 2004. "Microsoft has never been granted a registered trademark on Excel," said Rich Tanenbaum, on November 19, 2004. "In fact, they waited 19 years just to apply. Plus, there are over a hundred third-party products with Excel in their name. Microsoft's actions over the years have been consistent with that of a company that does not own the Excel mark. We're faced with a choice. We can fight Microsoft at a cost of half a million dollars or more. Or we can pay tens of thousands of dollars to replace all our sales and marketing material and redo every bit of publicity. But even then, you can't put a dollar value on intangibles like goodwill and brand recognition."