Search underdog Ask (www.ask.com) is apparently very unhappy with Palo-Alto based start-up, Askpedia.com for using the word “ask” in the name. Ask’s parent company, InterActiveCorp has issued a cease & desist order warning the fledgling start-up to remove any references to its intellectual property, stating…

“In using and incorporating Ask’s intellectual property in this manner, Askpedia is falsely suggesting a connection between Ask and Askpedia, and thereby misappropriating the substantial good will associated with Ask’s trademarks.”

According to the site, Askpedia is an online community for open knowledge sharing using Questions and Answers. Their goal is to enable the open exchange and sharing of the vast knowledge, wisdom, and experience residing within individuals.

Although the full contents of the cease & desist order have not yet been made public by either party, an Askpedia representative sent a copy to CNet, who said that the letter, signed by IAC Senior Vice President, Edward T. Ferguson demanded…

“..cease and desist from all use of Ask’s trademarks and other intellectual property, including without limitation in the name ‘Askpedia’ or any similar formation using the word ‘ask’..”

..and gave Askpedia 10 days to comply, after which legal action will be sought. These bullying tactics could hint at a similar ‘wikipedia style’ service is being planned by Ask, but it’s more likely that they don’t want the inferred association created by the similarities of both service and domain.

When the company was still know as ‘Ask Jeeves’ in 1999, the trademark was filed for ‘ask’ and the butler was dropped. InterActiveCorp then acquired ‘ask’ in 2005, none of which improved the company’s market share for search. This has recently prompted IAC to cut jobs in a structural reorganisation of the service.