In the US the search marketing community is in shock as Jason Gambart of Modern Consulting Solutions has managed to get through the reviewing stage at the US Trademark Office and is now moving toward the publication stage of the process! While thankfully the UK would not be implicated by this trademark, this could mean huge changes to US SEO based businesses, Mr Gambart could potentially halt companies using the words "SEO" in any publications, websites, marketing or service offerings without prior consent.

Web Pro News have some good coverage of the trademark issue