Is Carbonite's Lawsuit Over Lost Data A Bad Idea?

Never Be Surprised At What People Will Pay For

from the up-next:-chicken-of-the-month-club dept

Thu, Mar 26th 2009 2:58pm — Carlo Longino

The subscription model is a tried-and-true stalwart of the business world, whether it's applied to something like magazines, Netflix, cable TV channels, or bacon. Now those of us in the US can join our European brethren in adding black socks to the list of subscription-delivered goods with the stateside launch of Blacksocks.com. Blacksocks will send you 3 pairs of black socks at intervals you determine: for instance, if you want 3 pair every 4 months, it'll cost you $89 for a year's "sockscription." Laugh if you will, but the company claims to have accumulated 40,000 subscribers since it launched in Europe 10 years ago. Who says innovation is dead?

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Filed Under: socks, subscriptions
Companies: blacksocks

22 Comments

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Anonymous Coward, 26 Mar 2009 @ 3:06pm

This proves it
I suppose

The bubble is growing again
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JB, 26 Mar 2009 @ 3:35pm

I'm Excited about Socks!
That's a pretty entertaining Web site. Be sure to play the game, and see if you can find the semi-hidden movies.

I'm ready to buy some socks! Underwear too!
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Fred, 26 Mar 2009 @ 3:36pm

I'd do this
But I just know I'd get hosed.
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Joe, 26 Mar 2009 @ 3:49pm

Instant competition
well not so instant, they've been around for a bit.

http://www.monthlysocks.com/
http://www.monthlyboxers.com/

I suppose the main client base is mothers with son's going off to college.
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Anonymous Coward, 26 Mar 2009 @ 4:42pm

Bacon ?

the bubble has grown

when will it burst ?
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Esahc (profile), 26 Mar 2009 @ 4:45pm

???
Something's a-foot . . .
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Chris, 26 Mar 2009 @ 4:46pm

Innovation, seriously?

Socks and delivery services are some of the oldest inventions around, simply combining the two, but really just offering a new product to preexisting linen services (which is basically what it is) I don't see as all too innovative. Clever perhaps, but beyond that I wouldn't give it too much credit. Ancient concept - new adaptation - little more.
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- Weird Harold, 26 Mar 2009 @ 5:14pm
  
  Re:
  Wait, are you saying that someone came up with an new adaptation of an existing business concept without breaking copyright or patents?
  
  Hold the presses. This doesn't fit with "Masnick's Law". People will start making fun of you around here for that type of talk! ;P
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  - Anonymous Coward, 26 Mar 2009 @ 5:24pm
    
    Re: Re:
    The person with a copyright on dirty socks is not yet aware of this infringement. Once they are, all hell will break loose.
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    - Anonymous Coward, 27 Mar 2009 @ 5:13am
      
      Re: Re: Re:
      Can't have a copyright on dirty socks. Try again.
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  - Anonymous Coward, 26 Mar 2009 @ 6:22pm
    
    Re: Re:
    Wait, are you saying that someone came up with an new adaptation of an existing business concept without breaking copyright or patents?
    
    You know, Harold, I don't see where Carlo mentioned either patents or copyrights. You've got patents and copyrights so much on your little shill mind that you're starting to have visions of words that aren't even there.
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    - Anonymous Coward, 27 Mar 2009 @ 5:15am
      
      Re: Re: Re:
      I think that was his point. So often people in here complain about someone's business model violating copyrights or patents (or trademarks or trade secrets or common sense - the blog of violators) that to have an example of a business that is "innovative" (as in packaging in a shiny new box) without being a violator of someone just seems amazing.
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Jesse, 26 Mar 2009 @ 7:07pm

Did I read that right? 3 pairs of socks for 90 dollars?
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- lori, 26 Mar 2009 @ 8:41pm
  
  Re:
  It's 3 pair - 3 times a year - 9 pairs in total.
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dev, 26 Mar 2009 @ 7:41pm

9 pair for 90 dollars.

Seems to high. I like the idea, but the missing part is how do I find and throw out my 3 oldest pair of socks. That's the money maker.
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- Anonymous Coward, 27 Mar 2009 @ 5:16am
  
  Re:
  If they are high quality socks, then that is a fairly typical MSRP, though you can get them for a lot less if you shop around.
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Anonymous Coward, 26 Mar 2009 @ 8:29pm

Opportunity Knocking
Somebody should patent this idea and then threaten the company with a lawsuit and file a complaint with the International Trade Commission (ITC) to get the import of these socks banned. Yeah, I know that prior art could eventually invalidate the patent, but that's not the point because by the time that happened, the company would already be out of business. I bet the company would probably pay up just to avoid the court costs and stay in business. Profit!
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Steve L, 27 Mar 2009 @ 6:44am

Well this bacon thing has got me pretty exited. 90 bucks for 9 pairs of socks seems a bit steep though, I'm used to buying them in huge bags for as cheap as possible.
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calina, 27 Mar 2009 @ 12:59pm

This is great/hilarious. My Father's Day gift is now taken care of!
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SamBusch, 27 Mar 2009 @ 1:05pm

Hmmm.... I like. Just surfed the site. The quality is pretty high, so $90 for 10 and the door-step-delivery makes it worth it to me.
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Anonymous, 27 Mar 2009 @ 2:36pm

Saw a presentation by this guy while I was studying at St. Gallen. It's a good idea for a country where everyone wears black socks. Last time I checked, the only people who wear black socks in the states are really old men and office workers in formal industries.

That being said, their guerrilla marketing was supposed to be their claim to fame - what are the odds that black socks become the next Puma?
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another mike, 27 Mar 2009 @ 3:04pm

mmmm bacon
I just signed up for that bacon of the month club. And they say you can't buy happiness.

Everyone remember this XKCD comic about bacon.
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