[Fedora-spins] Moblin to Meego for F14?

[pbrobinson at gmail.com]

On Wed, Aug 4, 2010 at 8:41 PM, Paul W. Frields <stickster at gmail.com> wrote:
> On Fri, Jul 09, 2010 at 01:03:25PM -0400, Paul W. Frields wrote:
>> On Fri, Jul 09, 2010 at 03:37:03PM +0100, pbrobinson at gmail.com wrote:
>> > On Fri, Jul 9, 2010 at 2:24 PM, Bruno Wolff III <bruno at wolff.to> wrote:
>> > > Is the Moblin spin going to get renamed for F14?
>> > > If so we'll need to do another trademark check with the board. Also the
>> > > wiki page for the new name should get created. Spins are supposed to
>> > > be submitted by next week, so this change should happen soon if it is
>> > > going to happen for F14.
>> >
>> > Yes it is. I mentioned it in one of the other threads. Sorry I've been
>> > massively busy and are just starting to catch up. I will do the page
>> > over the weekend. Paul and RH Legal have already dealt with the
>> > trademark side of things. Added Paul so he can fill in those legal
>> > details.
>>
>> Correct, I've already been in contact with Red Hat Legal about a spin
>> containing MeeGo.  The Linux Foundation has issued specific
>> guidelines[1] for usage of the MeeGo marks, which should be followed.
>> In practical terms, our responsibility amounts to two points:
>>
>> * Ensure the spin passes the compliance tests issued by the Linux
>>   Foundation.  The tests confirm that the MeeGo software issued in the
>>   spin are fully compatible with the intentions of MeeGo upstream and
>>   eligible for the mark.
>>
>> * Use a name for the spin that complies with the guidelines.  There
>>   are some formulations already approved[1].  Unfortunately, none of
>>   them work well in the case of spins, which are not products designed
>>   *for use with* MeeGo, but rather showcases of MeeGo technology
>>   itself.  In cases where two trademarks owned by different entities
>>   are used together, it's often important to make sure that the usage
>>   together doesn't create the impression that one entity owns the
>>   other's trademark.[2] So I've asked the LF to tell us whether it's
>>   acceptable to them for us to use the term "MeeGo Spin by Fedora."
>>
>> Our counsel at Red Hat gave me some help last week but I've been
>> delinquent in moving the next question to Linux Foundation.  That's
>> done now and I hope to have an answer soon.
>>
>> From the Board's perspective, the issue for a spin is not usually
>> whether we're allowed to use someone else's trademark.  The issue the
>> Board usually is concerned with is whether the spin is eligible to
>> carry the Fedora trademark.  But it's probably best to go ahead and
>> send the request through, just to make sure everyone's informed and on
>> board (har!).
>>
>> * * *
>> [1] https://www.linuxfoundation.org/about/linux-foundation-trademark-usage-guidelines
>> [2] IANAL, TINLA, etc. ;-)
>
> Following up on this -- we were in contact with counsel at the Linux
> Foundation and they gave us permission to call the spin either "Fedora
> Spin of MeeGo" or "MeeGo Spin by Fedora," the latter of which is (I
> think) the preferred one.
>
> Jared is following up with the Board to make sure they're aware too.
> We'll also make sure there's a follow-up on any further approval
> needed by the Board.  It's currently an open item in the Board's
> agenda.

Thanks for the follow up. I prefer the later one as well.

Cheers,
Peter