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

[Darrell Fuhriman]

I think that OSGeo has a claim to a trademark, and would not be out of place to register that trademark.

The goal would be exactly what you describe – to make sure the FOSS4G name isn't co-opted by someone. It could still be "licensed" extremely liberally.

FWIW, I think that OSGeo can be a valuable "mentor" (for lack of a better word) to people putting on conferences, and using the FOSS4G "brand" to further those ends is not a terrible idea. 

Darrell


On Nov 20, 2013, at 10:06, Frank Warmerdam <warmerdam at pobox.com> wrote:

> 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
> 

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