Slashdot Mirror
German Law Firm claims Linux Trademark
Andreas Spengler writes "Apparently
a german lawfirm has filed a claim with the
german patent office for the trademark Linux
in Germany.
It's still unknown what their goal is.
" The article is in German, as one would expect. Babelfish the article.
Linux soon not free anymore ?
The Hamburg patent layers Hauck, Graalfs, Wehnert reserved the trade mark Linux at the german patent office. This was confirmed by a employee of the office by request of c't. Also, the "Deutsche Markenblatt" (german trade mark publication) lists the trade mark. In issue 36 dated 9.9.1999 (page 9919) Linux is listed under item 399 36 517.6 in the categorie Software.
What intentions trade mark holder Roy Boldt has in mind with the registration is not clear. The CEO of the Hamburger computer and bussines consulting office ChannelOne was inspite of several attempts not available on the phone. Whether this is a case of trade mark grabbing, or if Boldt is doing this in the interest of the community , like in the case of an Austrian Linux trade mark owner, is not clear at the moment.
Boldt can not be sure of the trade mark Linux. According to US law, the trade mark is owned by Linux-Father Linus Torvald. Torvalds had to fight for the trade mark in a US court.
The result of a comparable trial in germany is not clear. According to the german patent office, the trade mark law ends at the country borders. What the course of action here in germany will be remains to be seen. The time frame for a request for revision against the trade mark Linux ends on Dec 9 1999. Until then, everybody can claim a protection of the trade mark. The patent office is already armed for such a case. For such protective claims, the Form "W7202" is available on the World Wide Web. ---- my attempt, too lazy to login
I get the feeling that there is a segment of the population that feels compelled to test the rest of us. Will we put up with them, or simply pay them to go away. They'd rather be paid to go away, but will continue to be a pain in the bippy until someone in the Linux world takes a traditional Big Business approach to all of this and starts scooping up trademarks and patents left and right.
Like it or not, Linux has gained the attention of lawyers, executives, and beaurocrats and we will be forced to play their games. I imagine many inventors have gone through this before, and it will happen again.
Sucks, don't it.
Name: Roy Boldt
Adresse: Channel One GmbH
Gerhofstrasse 40
D-20354 Hamburg
Germany
Telefon: +49 40 35710650
Telefax: +49 40 35719786
NIC-Handle: RB53-RIPE
Domains: channelone.de , channel-one.de
They (http://www.channelone.de) actually recommend
Linux to their customers; their webserver seems to
be a Solaris, though.
Maybe one should phone this guy and ask what's
going on.
"The more prohibitions there are, The poorer the people will be" -- Lao Tse
Posted by Mike@ABC:
Hey, I'm actually impressed with the old Babelfish. I could certainly follow it much better than I could in German, seeing as I don't read in German. And the translation was pretty fast, too. Kudos to AltaVista for that nice service.
As to the guy who posted the Pig Latin translation -- please tell me you wrote a program to do that. If not, then slowly step away from the computer with your hands where I can see them. Then go outside and enjoy life more.
see http://www.linux-verband.de/Linux-R/linux-r.html (also German).
in short: on 17.9.97 the TM owner met with Linux International, LIVE Linux-Verband, the owner of linux.de, moderated by Martin Schulte of GUUG e.V.
(German UNIX Users Group http://www.guug.de/)
They discussed the topic and at the end Mr. Humenberger gave the TM to Linus.
Mr. Humenberger said that he wanted to protect the Linux (TM) for the community.
"As can be read in today's Heise Newsticker, we are currently registering a trademark for the name Linux at the German Patent Office in Munich. That is correct. The articel has lead to high tides and now we are partly alleged of having the intention to steal the trademark or gain advantages in any way out of this step.
We certainly realize that we cannot claim the trademark Linux, because it represents the community. If at all, it is the right of Linus Torvalds to claim the trademark. Furthermore, we realize, that we, even if we succeeded, wouldn't make many friends in the Linux community.
We have however heard rumors about another company exactly trying to do this. First we couldn't believe that the trademark Linux wasn't registered in Germany. Meeting our lawyer, we however realized it was in fact true. Without much thinking we simply applied for the trademark to ensure that noone with commercial intention does before us.
We of Channel One are friends of the Linux movement and we are far from making profit from it that we don't earn ourselves. In fact we are currently working on our own Linux distribution targeted at the Office User that we want to distribute next year to further increase the number of Linux users. Our self-written intranet-software Intraware also runs on Linux.
On the domain linux.channel-one.de we will publish a comic series with the Linux penguin as a protagonist shortly, to provide some entertainment to the Linux community. And as you can see on our homepage www.channel-one.de, we are also helping to enlarge the Linux community by other means."
End of translation
I hope that I did a readable translation (the other way is easier, i.e. English->German).
Sebastian
Is it just me, or does this translation remind anyone else of the famous "Gefingerpoken" paper?
Dieses Mark ist nicht fuer gefingerpoken und mittengrabben! Ist easy ausragen den Users, lacheln den Publik, und mailbomben mit schmutzig-Worden. Ist nicht fuer gekaufen von den Dumbkopfen! Die rubbernecken sichtseern keepen das cotten-pickenen lawyers weg muss; relaxen und den Marketvergrossung watchen.
Daniel
Hurry up and jump on the individualist bandwagon!
It's a sad thing that not all humans can succeed and excel in ways that inspire us. For every Linus, there are a thousand bottom feeders looking to get an easy ride. I'm afraid Linus will eventually be forced to assume active ownership of the name.. until this matter is cleared once and for all in all territories. I hope all the bullshit won't end up distracting him too much!
"Linux" soon no longer free?
The Hamburg patent lawyers Hauck, Graalfs, Wehnert have claimed the word "Linux" at the German patent office. This was acknowledged today by an employee of the 'Sozietat' upon a request from C'T. The German 'Markenblatt' (Listing of brand names) also lists the trademark. In edition number 36, published on 9.9.1999 (page 9919), Linux is listed under the document reference 399 36 517,6 in the category software.
Which aims trademark owner Roy Boldt has with the registration is unclear. The managing director of a Hamburg System House and the management consultation operation ChannelOne was unreachable by telephone today despite several attempts. Whether it concerns a new case of brand name snatching or perhaps an unselfish act, such as the one from an Austrian Linux trademark owner, remains unsure for the time being.
However Boldt cannot be sure of the name "Linux" just yet. According to US laws the trademarks have been property of Linux father Linus Torvalds since 1997. However, Torvalds had to take the matter to court to claim the rights for himself.
For now, the outcome of a comparable law case in Germany would be uncertain. According to information from the German patent office, trademark law is confined to the respective state borders. How things proceed in this country remains to be seen in the next weeks. On 9.12.99 the period for objections to the protection of the word "Linux" ends. Until then, everyone can make claim for a "relative obstacle to this word protection". The patent office is already prepared for such a case. The form designated "W7202" and meant for possible contenders has already been given a place on the Internet.
Disclaimer: I'm no lawyer, so I apologise for possible flaws in the technical terms.
Michiel
... is someone that can post the translation on their website, providing a direct link. Perhaps Slashdot could create some kind of special area for this?
Also a solution similar to this would allow some that speaks German or someone that has translated babelfish to english can post their finished translation.
Isn't it amazing that the internet has few language bounds? (A bit off topic, but this is important)
----- Cool Linux Project of the Week!
Coming soon... October 1st!
What right does a law firm have of ownership to Linux? Lawyers are supposed to troubleshoot problems with the law that are supposed to protect, not to take advantage and lay claim to opportunities.
I feel the need to order a tasty cream pie delivered to that law firm.
The typical German is a nazi.
The typical Russian is a commie.
The typical Jew is greedy.
...
Such a spirit IMHO doesn't match with the spirit of the people behind Linux.
--
..which filed the Linux trade mark is
www.channel-one.de
They have an email address info@channel-one.de
and apparently feedback@channel-one.de ( I found
the latter using a search engine).
Their web pages look relatively Linux friendly and
reasonable. So it might be worth to find out _why_
they trademarked Linux (only stupid or unfriendly?).
--
Bruce
Bruce Perens.
"Linux" soon no longer free?
The Hamburg patent lawyers Hauck, Graalfs, Wehnert have registered the trademark "Linux" with the German patent office.
This was acknowledged today by a member of the law firm following an inquiry by c't. The trademark protection is also reported by the publication "Deutsches Markenblatt". Linux is listed in issue #36 from 9.9.1999 (page 9919) under the document reference 399 36 517,6 in the software category.
It is unclear for what reasons the trademark owner Roy Boldt registered the trademark. The CEO of the German management consulting company ChannelOne was not available for comment despite several attempts to reach him by telephone.
It is unclear at this time if this is a new case of trademark grabbing, or if Boldt wants to act unselfishly like an Austrian holder of a Linux trademark (Note of translator: the Austrian guy handed the trademark over to Linus).
However, Boldt can't be sure of the trademark rights of "Linux" just yet. According to US law, the trademark is owned by Linux-Father Linus Torvalds, who had to go to court to get the rights.
At this time, the outcome of a comparable case in Germany would be uncertain. According to the German patent office, trademark law ends at the respective country's borders.
The next couple of weeks will show how the saga continues. The period to file objections against the trademark registration of the word "Linux" runs until December 9, 1999. Up to that date everybody can claim a so-called "relatives Schutzhindernis" (Translator's note: basically, claiming prior use). The patent office is prepared to these claims. The form "W7202" to use for claiming objections is already available online.
From a babelfish translation:
" In number 36 of 9.9.1999 (page 9919) Linux under the document reference 399 36 517,6 in the category software is listed."
Well, I think the significance of this is pretty obvious...
On the first line, we start with 36. 3+6 is nine, and 9*4 is 36. Then you have 2 nines, followed by a 1, and 3 more nines. That makes 5 nines...1 less than 4 nines! The second line is even more interesting. The first digit is '3' while the last is '6'...36 again! With another 36 in the middle! There are a total of 10 nines in the whole thing, and 1+0=1. The number of beginnings, unity, the antichrist, and cream cheese. Add all the digits in both lines, and you get 132. 1+3+2=6, which when you turn it upside-down looks kind of like a nine. You know what this means, don't you??!
Absolutely nothing.
As the article points out, it's quite possible that the people who have registered the trademark have done it to protect the Linux community, rather than to exploit it. This is what happened in Austria (as the article also says).
I suppose the ideal thing would be for it to be given to Linus but some beneficient Linux-using lawyer looking after it and not causing any hassle is surely the next best thing.
Well, I will only reproduce parts of it so that they don't sue me for copyright infringement. Here comes the "fair use":
Our Philosophy: [which should mean "how we explain existence", but really is only a mission statement ...]
We wish to aid our customers during all phases of inter- and intra-net [note that the internet is first priority ...] projects. Our encompassing competence [note that they don't know how to operate the demoronizer, or, for that matter, their web page generator, so that their homepage is vanilla without frames; *and* they ignore blind people or lynx users] positions us as external advisers. Through a lively mindset of service and better service [sorry my fault, try translating "dienstleistungsgedanke" yourself then ...] we attempt to tie customers to us [oh, gee, that's confidence-inspiring ...]. During realisation of our projects we focus on the optimal synthesis of doability and technical avantgarde [= lots of JS, little use ...]
We offer an encompassing competence in all areas of internet technologies, with the synergistic effects are exhibited in better results and quicker reaction times.
Also, the company was founded by a single person in 1995, the guy employes 33 people. They have just entered digital TV (I kid you not, but it's probably not meant literally ...) and started the ISO 9000 process. Let's see whether they have documented how to deal with a zillion slashdot inquiries yet ...
Finally, the company that undoubtedly is going to utilise the OPEN word of the Linux world as a marketing gimmick asks for your mail reader (outlook or netscape) when you subscribe to their mailing list.
... sorry to rant
I love it! "Markengrabbing" seems a better description of the concept than any comparable english word. I don't know if this duality exists in German, but to this English-speaker, the double meaning (Mark as in money, mark as in trademark) is hilariously appropriate. After all, in this day and age, grabbing trademarks is a much more profitable activity (witness the domain-name gold rush) than grabbing money.
"Never let your sense of morals prevent you from doing what is right" -Salvor Hardin
at least in Spain and France, UNIX is a brand of fire extinguishers. I don't know if they have a trademark on it, but my guess is that they would. no conflict with AT&T's (or rather, whoever is operating the Unix name this week), because it's for a different type of product.
Well, it's a matter of intention.
The owner of veronica.org, in particular, had a claim on the domain because it was the name of her daughter. The ".org" deisgnation meant that the site was a non-profit entity (i.e. a baby, which, for the most part, is a non-profit venture). Therefore, the owners of Archie comics could not claim that the website was masquerading as their trademarked Veronica character. Ajax is the name of a figure in Greek mythology, and likewise, a ".org" site is not claiming to be a company with the trademark Ajax(tm). Were either of these sites a parody or made allusion to the trademarked materials (i.e. a pron cartoon site that featured a Veronica character similar to the one in Archie comics) then you might understand the lawsuit. This wasn't the case in either of these two.
gumby.org is more questionable, since that's the name specifically created by someone for a fictional character. If the owner of the web site were using it in a way that "lessened the brand identity" of Gumby (whatever that may mean) then the action might be considered slightly more reasonable.
In this case, these people have trademarked the word Linux presumably (we're not sure) to force others to pay for the right to call something Linux. Linux is not a common German term, so its obvious that the individuals have intentionally trademarked a term that they knew was being used to describe a particular software product. If their aims are to extort money, then it's pretty obvious that they are in the wrong.
In cases where a company has previously trademarked a term (or has trademarked a term in good faith, not knowing that another is currently using it) then you might excuse them if they try to enforce their trademark. I believe something of this sort happened with the WindowMaker window manager, where the original name of the project was actually a trademark of a software firm. As I recall, that firm didn't really try to enforce the trademark, but rather the author of WindowMaker decided to change the name of the project.
- Mister Humenberger has filed the trademark 'Linux' for Germany in 1993.
- He agreed to transfer his rights to Linus Torvalds in 1997 after an effortless try to get linux.de to acknowledge this rights. (see URL below)
- You can file a trademark again in Germany. However you will only succeed in defending it if you can proof that you used the mark before the original filing occurred in a commercial context. This seems very unlikely.
So why did they do it? Publicity stunt? Ignorance? I don't know. But their chances are next to none.The article referred to in the /. article has already been much critizised for being inaccurate and sensation-seeking.
Reference: Streit um Linux Warenzeichen beigelegt.
--
"Just believe everything I tell you, and it will all be very, very simple."
So far, we have absolutely no idea why this was done and what the (_potential_) registrants are up to.
Previously, there have been individuals who abused their ownership of a Linux-related trademark, domain name, whatever, and there have been other people who donated it to the community.
As long as we don't know anything, let's just wait and see, ok? If Channel.One turns out to be evil, I am sure to take out my clue-stick and hit them.
------------------
You may like my a cappella music
No, trademark law is certainly NOT international, although it's important to note that what happens in one country can affect what happens in another.
Trademark ownership in the USA does not imply trademark ownership in Germany. But it will be important to the case of the trademarking firm to demonstrate the use of their trademark in Germany (and in the USA). They can do neither, so unless the German trademark application process is extremely liberal, this can be easily opposed.
You may be thinking of copyright. Copyright is internationalized by the Berne Convention, a treaty which nearly all countries have signed. (The USA was one of the last holdouts, before anybody gets on a high horse.)
lake effect weblog
{Network engineer in Chicago--looking for work!}
Please stay calm first.
At the moment it's a little bit difficult with Trademark in's Germany. There's for example a Trademark on Y2K and on Webspace.
It's silly and obviously for money-grabbing. They even tried to auction the rights for Y2K on ebay.de. But in the last weeks, some people tried to register things like WWW or FvG(the initials of a german lawyer who is know to bring you to court if you don't follow trademark laws(for example the use of Triton referring to the Motherboard-Chipset or the Name Explorer (Microsoft signed a contract to use this name in Germany))).
So it's probably, that someone's registering linux before somebody evil can do this, if it's at all possible to register it. At the moment the trademark isn't registered yet, there's only a request for it.
Stay calm,
Keef
sorry for my english...
Actually .. there has been already a "lawsuit" about the trademark "Linux" in Germany.
In this article (in german) from 17.9.1997 it is mentioned, that the last owner of trademark granted all rights to Linus Tovarlds.
He also mentioned, that he only protected the trademark in for the linux community.
There are only 10 types of people in the world: Those who understand binary and those who don't.
http://pericles. ipaustralia.gov.au/atmoss/falcon.application_start
This whole thing raises a question in my mind though. I thought Linux International was supposed to be protecting these trade marks. Why don't they just rock though all nations and just buy the trade mark now?
It would save some time later...
PS: There appears to be someone squatting on linuxinternational.net and linuxinternational.com
YES! great idea. Accually I just checked and it is on dictionary.com. Accually it looks as if a linux lover works there. Compare the definition to unix to definition to linux. The linux one is almost an encylopedia entry. A bit overboard yes, but nice to see. There is even a slashdot and freshmeat link at the bottom!
Trademarks != Patents
Thanks for playing though...
DrLunch.com The site that tells you what's for lunch!
I'm not sure what scares me more, that page or that I'm replying from inside it.
Why are lawyers the only people who ever try this stuff?
The same reasons crackers are the only ones who crack machines. And car mechanics replace good parts to charge for labor. Everyone uses their skillz to get what they want, when you understand the law you can try to manipulate it, even when you are sure it is illegal (even if you don't think so personally). People do what they can, lawyers just happen to be able to fsck the rest of us with their silly reindeer games. Is there a nice derogative term for crackin' lawyers? (or does "lawyer" pretty much cover it?)
+&x
Arguably, Linux is the same.
It seems to me that the best way to protect the Linux name may be to go around trademark law entirely and go to where the real power is--lobby Merriam-Webster to put it in their next unabridged dictionary.
--The basis of all love is respect
---
Conflict over "Linux" put aside
Wiesbane/Offene Systeme, 17 September 1997
On 17 September 1999, an open discussion about the registration of the trademark "Linux" took place at the annual congress of the Open Systems/German Unix Users Group (GUUG).
Those present:
Wolfgang Dreyer, Linux International
Achim Cloer, LIVE Linux-Verband / Delta Internet
Edmund Humenberger, Owner of the Trademark "Linux" in Germany
Rainer Feldkamp, Patent Attorney
Christian Hüttermann, Owner/operator of the domain linux.de
Moderated by:
Martin Schulte, GUUG e.V.
Mr. Humenberger, owner of the German trademark "Linux", sent a license agreement in mid-July 1997 to Christian Hüttermann, owner/operator of Linux.de, in which Mr. Humenberger guaranteed 10 years' use of the trademark "Linux" in return for an agreement not to resort to legal recourse.
In response, Mr. Hütterman referred the matter to the Linux Verband LIVE, Linux International and the GUUG.
The first contact regarding this situation came in a telephone converstaion between Achim Cloer and Mr. Humenberger, in which no agreement was reached.
Further process was placed in the hands of Mr. Feldkamp, a patent attorney and Linux user, in coordination with the various associations and with an American patent attorney.
In the course of the meeting, the representatives of the involved groups reviewed the current events.
Wolfgang Dreyer, as representative of Linux International, announced that, at a metting between patent attorney Feldkamp and Mr. Humenberger shortly before, an agreement had been reached. During the open discussion, Mr. Humenberger transferred his rights to the name "Linux" to Linus Torvalds in full.
At the end of the meeting, Mr. Humenberger made the following statement with regards to his actions:
Mr. Humenberger had followed a discussion in newsgroups regarding the registration of the name "Linux" since 1993. As no interest group in the Linux community existed at that time, Mr. Humenberger reigstered the name himself to protect it on behalf of the Linux community.
Herewith is the controversy about the German trademark "Linux" and the related registered marque "Linux" resolved. ---
One would hope that ChannelOne would have similar intentions. I do know that they have been involved in Linux for some time, so let's hope they are benevolent enough to give Linus the rights...
Ethelred
Everyone wants to be Ethelred. Even I want to be Ethelred.
How many times has this happened now?
I remember when some jerk (read: lawyer) started posting messages to the Linux newsgroups a long time ago saying that everybody running Linux had to send him money because he "patented" it or something.
If a court ever sides with these types of scum, I'll have to make a mental note to never live in that country. It would be fairly obvious that their courts are more concerned with the game of law than actually protecting honest people's rights.
Why are lawyers the only people who ever try this stuff?
Goh, when are companies and the like going to learn that there is not quick, easy way to gain money - It all takes hard work and a keen mind... ok (possible flamebait... I hope not)Microsoft might not follow that per se, but you've got to give it to Gates... he's got the brains...
Anyway, what happened to the hope of Linus being able to own the copyright... that seemed the clever idea, a bit like the GPL (yeah, I know... not linus) in effect.
How many folkenspiel are going to try and pull this kind of stuff?
If I file a trademark claim in Germany for the words 'German' and 'Deutsch', can I force every German to pay royalties for their use? Actually, after I trademark them I think I'll just change their definition to something more appropriate...
I hereby claim that the word "the" is a trademark, and I own it.
Now don't get all upset. I am a reasonable person and will not place excessive burdens on your use of the®. If you would like to include the® in your essays, documents, letters, program comments (and any other linguistic medium), I will make it very easy for you to obtain a license, with little red tape and at a low cost. Normally you should estimate a $100 license fee for each appearance of the®, although I will perfectly happy to negotiate bulk rates for novelists, newspaper editors and others with special needs.
Can't you see how co-operative I am willing to be? How could anyone complain?
You must understand, of course, that the® law requires me to aggressively protect my intellectual property rights. If I allow casual uses of the® to go unchallenged, I may lose my trademark claims in the® future, and we don't want that to happen. Therefore, if I see any further unlicensed uses of the® in Slashdot or other media in the® future, I am afraid my lawyers will have to get in touch with the® authors. If things get too bad, I may have file charges against CmdrTaco. But no hard feelings of course, it's nothing personal; just business. Have a nice day.
Always keep a sapphire in your mind
To the best of my knowledge trademarks and copyrights are *not* international. I know that patents are not. (I think that there is a commitee that meets evry other year or so to make them international, but they always end up arguing and quitting without any result)
You have to apply for trademarks, patents, etc in each country where you do business. Should someone else clain your trademark before you, you could be out of luck unless you have some kind of legal precedent. For example, say soemone registered the trademark coca-cola in their country. A couple of years later, the coca-cola company decides that they want to start selling coke in that country. So they Sue, and point out that they hold the trademark in every other country in the world. End of discussion.
The problem with this is that the Coca-cola co. would have the money to bring proper legal power to bear in case the country in question gets all uppity. To the best of my knowledge, Linux does not.
Sig:
Barbeque is a noun. Not a verb.
"Too bad you can't inflict penalties on companies that do dumb things..."
/. is all about, after all, but we can take it beyond the confines of /. as well...
Actually, you can. You can use your power as a consumer to refuse to do business with them. Take your business elsewhere. Tell your colleagues to take their business elsewhere. Circulate the news, and tell people what you think about it.
That's a lot of what
o/~ we are pissed, we are pissed, we have to resist... o/~ - ec8or
{begin translation}
" Linux " soon no longer freely?
Those Hamburg patent lawyers Hauck, Graalfs, Wehnert let protect the word label " Linux " with the German patent office. This acknowledged today a coworker of the partnership on request of c't. also the German label page specifies the trademark protection. In number 36 of 9.9.1999 (page 9919) Linux under the document reference 399 36 517,6 in the category software is listed.
Which aims at trademark owner Roy Boldt with the log-on, is unclear. The managing director Hamburg system houses and the management consultation of the ChannelOne was by telephone not attainable today despite several attempts. Whether it concerns a new case of Markengrabbing, or whether Boldt wants to concern unselfishly like a Austrian Linux trademark owner , remains for the time being in the dark.
However Boldt of the label cannot be safe " Linux " yet. After US right the trademarks are situated since 1997 with Linux father Linus Torvalds. Torvalds had itself the rights however only before court firstrides.
The output of a comparable law case in Germany would be meanwhile uncertain. After information of the German patent office the trademark law at the respective state borders ends. How it continues here to country will only show up, in the next weeks. To 9.12.99 the contradiction period runs against word label " Linux ". Up to then everyone can make a " relative protection obstacle in such a way specified " valid. The patent office is already prepared for such a case. The form " W7202 " designated for any objections has already a fixed workstation in the Internet.
{end translation}
No Longer a Menace to Society.
Alexandria Morrigan born 2/22/01 l. 20.5in wt. 7 lbs. 5 oz.
Too bad you can't inflict penalties on companies that do dumb things like trademark names which are pretty obviously either public domain or closely associated with other companies/organizations, or patent things which have lots of prior art floating around.
I wonder if somebody could make the legal argument that doing such dumb things cause a lot of people/companies to waste legal & financial resources to counter the bogus trademark/patent, and that the trademark/patent filer is liable for that amount (like a class action lawsuit against a company for causing "damage" to the class frivilously).
Of course, what's really needed is a BTTH (Boot To The Head) for the people in the Patent Office who keep approving these things & for the Congresscritters who futzed around with the laws enough to make this kind of situation a big bonanza for companies that like to litigate their way to profits.
I got pens namned Unix. A whole stash of them actually. They aren't very good (they leak). Still wouldn't want a NT pen though.
Copyrights are indeed international, although they are not worldwide. As DHartung pointed out earlier, this is thanks to the Berne Convention. I believe that trademarks can be applied for on a number of levels.. I forget what all of them are, I know a couple are national and statewide. I remember seeing something about an international search on a few trademark sites, but to be honest, I've never been very interested because trademarking costs money (and a lot of headache if you want to keep said trademark).
~ Kish
On the other hand, I think the European Union would have something to say about this. I found this link:
Which basically says that trademarks acquired in one EU state can't be diluted in other EU mamber states
I seem to remember that Linux is a [tm] in Austria, and guess that it might be one in Finland, which would mean bad news for Mr. Brodt.
More generally, a trademark isn't something like a patent or a copyright which you can just have on the shelf. Trademark law exists to protect companies against unscrupulous imitators cashing in on their goodwill. Which means that you typically have to be actually trading to keep your trademark. Unless the German guys start producing a proprietary product fairly similar to Linux (good luck guys), they won't get the [tm].
On the other hand, German [tm] law is widely known to suck, so there may be more to it than this.
jsm
Actually, Mondial has made (failed) attempts to force the owner of the earth.com site to give the site name to them... I know it's not exactly the same issue, and is related to DNS problems, but since you brought it up... Also, they _do_ own the trademark 'earth': "Mondial acquired the trademark EARTH. (See Ex. A - U.S. Registration No. 1,371,439 for EARTH, issued November 19, 1985.) For many years, Mondial has prominently and continually used the mark EARTH for footwear." see www.earth.com for more info...
Perhaps the best thing about the article is the Bablefish translation of "Stimm gegen Spam" as "Be correct against Spam" I think I got myself a new .signature ;)