[Board] [OSGeo-Conf] Using the FOSS4G brand

[Frank Warmerdam]

Folks,

I concur with Venkatesh - we don't own FOSS4G and should not imagine we can
control it like a trademark.  If <random-evil-company> wants to hold a
conference about <random-proprietary-technology> and call it FOSS4G we
can't really stop that.  All we can do is provide some influence if they
would like to associate it with OSGeo.

Lets not overreach ourselves.

On the other hand, there may be things we can do to better support these
conferences, and improve coordination. I'm all for that.  Lets just be very
cautious about imagining there is control.

Best regards,
Frank



On Wed, Nov 20, 2013 at 8:32 AM, Venkatesh Raghavan
<venka.osgeo at gmail.com>wrote:

> Dear All,
>
> I think this discussion has been done before
> in discuss [1] and board lists.
> History of FOSS4G is documented at [2] and [3]
>
> FOSS4G refers a philosophy/concept/technology and
> cannot be branded. Since it existed before the
> formation of OSGeo foundation, OSGeo foundation
> cannot/need not claim ownership to FOSS4G.
>
> Hoping see more FOSS4G in the bazaar.
>
> Best
>
> Venka
>
> [1]http://lists.osgeo.org/pipermail/discuss/2011-November/009759.html
> [2]http://wiki.osgeo.org/wiki/FOSS4G
> [3]http://lists.osgeo.org/pipermail/discuss/2011-November/009762.html
>
>
>
> On 2013/11/20 18:47, Seven (aka Arnulf) wrote:
>
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>> Folks,
>> there has been some confusion around the brand FOSS4G, how to organize
>> local conferences in general, how to link back to OSGeo and so on.
>>
>> As a result of these ongoings I suggest that OSGeo take more ownership
>> of the brand FOSS4G. The main reason is to avoid confusion, improve
>> transparency and make sure that the name FOSS4G continues to stand for
>> quality events.
>>
>> Therefore I suggest that anybody who wants to use the name FOSS4G has to
>> first ask/announce this on this mailing list *before* making it a public
>> event, sign any contracts, etc.
>>
>> What is "ask/announce"? Not sure, we may need to better define. From a
>> do-ocratic [1] point of view anybody should be allowed to go ahead. At
>> the same time we should strive to avoid conflicts with other events
>> close by, go easy on volunteer resources, etc. Maybe we can implement a
>> very simple rule: If nobody complains / raises issues within two weeks
>> of announcing on the Conference-dev list the organizer can go ahead.
>>
>> Later we may also want to make sure (make it a rule) that a trusted
>> OSGeo person is part of the LOC.
>>
>> What is a "trusted OSGeo person"? Anybody with an official role, be it
>> board, committee, or chair. If necessary we have to clarify. Again, I'd
>> like to keep it simple...
>>
>> Once we have talked about this here and if we agree I would like to make
>> this a motion to be approved by the Board at one of their next meetings.
>>
>> A general question is whether the conference committee is prepared to
>> take on this additional job at all. It appears to be the best place but
>> if you think this belongs elsewhere please advise.
>>
>> Best regards,
>> Arnulf
>>
>> [1] http://wiki.osgeo.org/wiki/Do-ocracy
>>
>> - --
>> Exploring Space, Time and Mind
>> http://arnulf.us
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-- 
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I set the clouds in motion - turn up   | Frank Warmerdam,
warmerdam at pobox.com
light and sound - activate the windows | http://pobox.com/~warmerdam
and watch the world go round - Rush    | Geospatial Software Developer
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