Date: Thu, 11 Sep 1997 21:25:52 -0500 From: dkelly@hiwaay.net To: current@FreeBSD.ORG, stable@FreeBSD.ORG Subject: Re: HEADS UP: *tetris* files removed from cvs repository... Message-ID: <199709120225.VAA12270@nospam.hiwaay.net> In-Reply-To: Message from Doug Russell <drussell@saturn-tech.com> of "Thu, 11 Sep 1997 15:03:03 MDT." <Pine.BSF.3.95.970911144722.25330A-100000@hobbes.saturn-tech.com>
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Doug Russel writes: > > On Thu, 11 Sep 1997, A. Karl Heller wrote: > > > > Well, if you understood what a trademark was, then you wouldn't be saying > > > that. That "xtetris" implies or indicates the qualities of the "tetris" game > > > by using the word in the name is plenty enough for it to be a violation of > > > the trademark. > > > > I guess I better not install any "Windows" in my house then. > > > > *grin* > > :) > > I trademark only applies to the particular good(s) and/or service(s) > registered. If I pop into my handy-dandy trademark database, (the US in > this example) there are 234 hits on "windows". Here's the register page > for the one we are probably interested in follows. Note the section > "GOODS/SERVICES". > > --- CUT --- > > MARK : MICROSOFT WINDOWS > > STATUS TEXT : REGISTERED [snip] Notice its "Microsoft Windows" that is trademarked. A judge ruled they couldn't tradmark simply "Windows". Trademark law isn't like copyright or patent law. A big bully can wrestle your trademark away from you simply by applying it to a larger audience while you were not watching. Registered or not, a trademark is not automatically national or international. You actually have to use it and defend it to keep it. Rename the port with two xx's in it and hear from Exxon's lawyers. -- David Kelly N4HHE, dkelly@hiwaay.net ===================================================================== The human mind ordinarily operates at only ten percent of its capacity -- the rest is overhead for the operating system.
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