Facebook will have to face a copyright lawsuit related to its Timeline feature, a judge ruled Monday.
Facebook was sued in 2011 for copyright infringement by Timelines, Inc., a website created in 2009 that lets users create visual timelines for events of their choosing. The lawsuit came almost immediately after Facebook announced Timeline, a profile redesign which organized users' personal history in chronological order. Facebook later counter-sued Timeslines, Inc., arguing Timelines, Inc.'s trademarks weren't distinct enough to warrant protection and should be canceled.
However, U.S. District Judge John W. Darrah decided Monday that Facebook failed to show the disputed trademarks were in fact generic, forcing the case to move to a trial set to begin April 22. That case will either be decided in court or through an out-of-court settlement.
An attorney for Timelines, Inc. told Bloomberg News he was "happy" with the ruling and that Timelines, Inc. is seeking damages equal to any ad revenue Facebook has collected from the Timeline feature. Facebook declined comment to Mashable.
Does Timelines, Inc. have a case against Facebook? Share your thoughts in the comments.