[Cialug] Linux Trademark -- What do you think of this?

[Tom Poe]

Tom Poe offered the following on 08/20/2005 11:51 AM:
> Travis Beaty offered the following on 08/20/2005 11:17 AM:
> 
>> Hello everyone.
>>
>> http://www.groklaw.net/article.php?story=20050816092029989
>>
>> There is apparently a development in Australia where a company, 
>> supposedly under the authority of Linus Torvalds, is demanding that 
>> people pay to use the Linux name.  I looked on the "LMI" website, and 
>> they also have information on buying a license to use the Linux penguin.
>>
>> Granted, this issue is in Australia right now.  And I can, in a way, 
>> see the argument that Pamela Jones makes on Groklaw.  But, in my 
>> opinion, this is A Very Bad Thing, and it's just a matter of time 
>> before people here in the U.S. start getting these letters.
>>
>> What do you think?  Should we all quit calling our operating systems 
>> "Linux," and call it a "GNU Operating System," as a Groklaw commenter 
>> suggested?  Should we all start creating GUGs instead of LUGs?  Must 
>> we find a new mascot?
>>
>> It almost sounds to me as though someone in the Linux world has been 
>> copying pages out of Microsoft's playbook, and frankly, I'm a little 
>> ticked.
>>
>> That is of course my opinion.  Your mileage may vary.
>>
>>
>> Regards,
>>
>> Travis Beaty
>> Osage, Iowa.
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>>
> I filled out the application to use "Linux" in text, in products for our 
> online shop: www.cafepress.com/openstudios/ as well as t-shirts, mugs, 
> CDs, DVDs, other recording merchandise for fund-raising.  Listed us as a 
> 501(c)(3) charitable organization incorporated in Nevada.  When I 
> submitted the form, there was no indication of when, or even, if they 
> would be contacting me with a decision.  I didn't see anything on the 
> site at first glance, that would explain the process in detail.
> 
> Will post results, if and when I receive notice, for those interested.
> 
> One nice thing, the Tux Penguin is not included in this adventure.
> Tom
> 
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I forgot to mention, on Groklaw, the pricing structure shows a flat rate 
for nonprofit (both formal and informal) groups paying US$200.00.  For 
small nonprofits, and I'll bet most "informal" groups, this is 
intolerable.  If they hold to that, and it turns out, Open Studios is a 
licensed required organization, then it would seem all LUG groups need 
to start gathering their pennies up for payment.  Am I wrong?
Tom

-- 
Open Studios, Charles City, Iowa, USA
www.ibiblio.org/studioforrecording/
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