General case Trademark question

[Tom "spot" Callaway]

On 10/14/2010 06:22 AM, Sascha Thomas Spreitzer wrote:
> Dear Board,
> 
> If I create something, which consists 100% of Fedora TM acknowldged
> components, with the tools and utilites of the Fedora Linux, which
> results in a 100% free and freedom compatible thing, will it be able
> to make use of the Fedora TM automatically?

This is covered here:

http://fedoraproject.org/wiki/Legal/TrademarkGuidelines#New_combinations_of_unmodified_Fedora_software

  New combinations of unmodified Fedora software

  In the past, community members have inquired whether it is
  permissible to use Fedora Trademarks to identify new combinations of
  only software provided by official Fedora repositories. The
  guidelines relating to such usage are set forth in this section.

  It is permissible to use Fedora Trademarks on and in conjunction with
  media that includes only software included in the official Fedora
  repositories, provided that:

   - use of the Fedora Trademarks is approved by the Fedora Board. The
     Board may ask to see the proposed designs of labeling, marketing
     and collateral material before approving the use.
   - proper trademark symbols are used in connection with the Fedora
     Trademarks, and the trademark attribution statement appears as
     explained in Proper Trademark Use.

  You may also consider distributing the new combination under the
  Secondary Mark.

*****

To put it simply, the answer is: Yes, but only if the Fedora Board
approves it. Or you can use the Secondary Mark ("Fedora Remix") without
asking for permission, assuming that you follow the guidelines for using
the Secondary Mark.

FWIW, I think it is unlikely that the Board would reject most requests
that fall into this generic situation.

~spot