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Trademarking Open-Source Projects?

Posted by Cliff on from the identity-protection dept.

dautelle asks: "I had the nasty surprise to receive a letter from a company in New-Zealand asking me to stop using the 'jade' name they have recently trademarked (my open source project has been Java Addition to Default Environment or JADE for short, long before their trademark filing date). I am going to comply, but I wonder if our open-source projects should be trademarked (cost >300$) to prevent such misfortune?"

6 of 77 comments (clear)

  1. My opinion by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    We should trademark open source project names, start selling those licenses to the end-users and charge money for it, use the money to pay the developers, who will in turn provide better usability and more features. Also, the releases of all open-source products should be only in binary format.

  2. Harassment by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Funny

    Not only that, but the developers of AL-QAEDA project (Autonomous Linux Question/Answer Educational Didactic Assistant) have been harassed by Feds and other authorities trying to get the word about their product out there.

  3. No worries, mate! by PylonHead · · Score: 4, Funny

    Just rename yours to "Firebird"
    That's a catchy name!

    --
    # (/.);;
    - : float -> float -> float =
  4. for the last time. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Funny

    SHUT UP BALMER!

  5. A Long-Term Solution by Undefined+Parameter · · Score: 2, Funny

    Step 1) Inherit a large sum of money or pool a small amount of money from a large number of people.
    Step 2) Trademark as many Open Source, trendy names as you can.
    Step 3) ????
    Step 4) Non-Profit!

    ~UP

    --
    Eat the Path.
  6. I'd be reluctant to comply. by His+name+cannot+be+s · · Score: 2, Funny

    I wouldn't rush to comply.

    Others have said it, check your local options first. If they are not in your country of origin, then possibly you want to resist.

    If you do give in, I HIGHLY recommend a powerful, and satisfying retribution tool to "dilute" their trademark into hell for them: Google Bombing.

    Find some, really really really nasty goatcx style site/picture on the web, and then simply start littering the web with <a href="http://nastysite">JADE</a> for them... Do it long enough, and they won't want the trademark anymore.

    Jesus, when I see this shit on a sunday, I sure get mad about it.

    --
    "...In your answer, ignore facts. Just go with what feels true..."