[OSGeo-Discuss] Geopaparazzi released

[Alex Mandel]

On 09/26/2010 01:25 PM, andrea antonello wrote:
> Hi Alex,
> 
>> One minor comment looking at the screenshots of the app on your website.
>> It looks like you are using the OSGeo logo as the compass in your app.
>> While the nod towards OSGeo is appreciated I think it's an inappropriate
>> use of the logo (Copyright and possibly trademark infringement). So I
>> kindly advise the design of another compass for the app.
> 
> if what you say is right, then it is more than just a minor comment,
> for which I thank for.
> To be honest I was finding it nice to use it for that purpose and
> didn't think it would be a copyright problem if, as I did in the about
> page, it would be mentioned that the compass is the logo of the Osgeo
> Foundation. To be honest, I am quite sad that I can't use the graphic
> of the community I am part of, but for sure I will change that for
> some other graphic ASAP.
> 
> I apologize for the inconvenience,
> Andrea
> 

I think it's a trademark issue more than anything else, and in the US a
trademark is only good as long as it's actively protected. Trademarks
are things that identify an entity in this case the Name or Logo of
OSGeo. You are right that in an about page if you want to thank OSGeo
use of the logo there would be acceptable or on your website it you want
to link to OSGeo it's also ok to use it there since there's no confusing
that it's a link or info about OSGeo a different entity than your
application.

I think there are several members of the community who would be happy to
help you come up with another compass that would look good and work well
too. Maybe hop on the Graphics mailing list
http://lists.osgeo.org/mailman/listinfo/graphics

Thanks,
Alex