Stallman Claims Linux Trademark Doesn't Matter

Tontoman writes "ZDNet UK reports on an interview with Richard Stallman with the Sydney Morning Herald. From the article: '"Free software means you're free to run it, study it, change it, redistribute it, and distribute modified versions the way cooks do with recipes. What names you're allowed to call a program is a side issue." The Linux trademark became an issue last month after a lawyer acting on behalf of Linux creator Linus Torvalds wrote to 90 Australian companies asking that they sign a statutory declaration waiving exclusive rights to the trademark's use.'"

Comments

Then Stallman added...

[Anonymous Coward]

Especially since those companies should be using the name GNU/Linux.

Re:Then Stallman added...

[Loonacy]

Personally, i like liGnux

Re:Then Stallman added...

[Zugok]

But I think Stallman might rather like Stalinix. Where this thread goes form here, only Godwin knows.

yawn

[hostyle]

Richard Stallman? Pfh. What we all want to know is what Simon Cowell thinks!

Same old RMS

[Anonymous Coward]

The end of the article has this classic quote from Stallman:

"Most of the time, when people call something 'Linux', it's the GNU system with Linux as the kernel. Maybe this policy will encourage people to call it GNU,"

Which he follows up with:

"I prefer to say GNU/Linux' so as to give the kernel's developer a share of the credit."

My, how generous!

Re:Same old RMS

[Seumas]

So what you're saying is Stallman's package is too small . . . ?

Re:Same old RMS

[krumms]

if you're going to call it by a single thing, that should be GNU, not Linux.

Richard? Is that you?

Re:Same old RMS

[webrunner]

Microsoft is "Do it our way."

Open source tends to be "You can do it any way you want. But if you dont do it my way you're an idiot."

Re:Same old RMS

[Gherald]

> Which is why he advocates for the system to be called GNU/Linux and not plainly GNU. Makes sense to me.

As others have indicated, why not call desktops GNU/Linux/BSD/X.org/KDE/WTF ? Where do you fraking draw the line?

Re:Same old RMS

[Tellarin]

> As others have indicated, why not call desktops GNU/Linux/BSD/X.org/KDE/WTF ? Where do you fraking draw the line?

Well, one can do as you did and draw the lines between the names. :)

\'Linux\'

[aussie_a]

Sheeesh, is a little professionality* too much to ask for? I guess perhaps they should recode their webpage. Although of course they have the advertisements working perfectly.

* Yes, I'm aware this isn't an actual word.

Re:\'Linux\'

[Haeleth]

Yes, I'm aware this isn't an actual word.

42,000 Google hits suggest that, on the contrary, it is an actual word - just one that some dictionaries haven't noticed yet...

Re:\'Linux\'

[nomadic]

Sheeesh, is a little professionality*

The correct term is "professionalityness".

The Squeezably soft OS.

[Anonymous Coward]

"What names you're allowed to call a program is a side issue."

Linux is now "Fluffy Marshmellow Prophylactic" I'm certain that'll do wonders for Linux's continued growth.

Re:The Squeezably soft OS.

[Flyboy Connor]

Linux is now "Fluffy Marshmellow Prophylactic" I'm certain that'll do wonders for Linux's continued growth.

If it is growth we're interested in, why not call it "Viagrux"?

Re:Stallman is obsolete

[Adelbert]

Don't worry, Stallman 2.0 is being released in September.

GNU/Linux

[QuantumG]

RMS claiming that "what you call it doesn't matter" is just so ironic.

in other news

[Anonymous Coward]

Linus claims that Stallman doesn't matter.

Cartoon

[Richard W.M. Jones]

Seems appropriate.

Re:Stallman is obsolete

[Anonymous Coward]

The correct product title is GNU/Stallman 2.0.

Please don't make me correct you a second time.

-- GNU/RMS

Re:Nice Troll

[who_said_so]

Please can that be the annals?!?! Slashdot anals are not a pleasant place to be... ;-)

Should't this read

[ifwm]

"Linux claims Stallman doesn't matter"