On Sun, Dec 7, 2014 at 7:09 PM, Riley Baird <[email protected]> wrote: >>>>> I have a few questions about OpenBSD's trademark policy. (I tried >>>>> looking, but I couldn't find a document.) >>>>> >>>>> 1. What is OpenBSD's stance on allowing derivative distros to keep the >>>>> name "OpenBSD" throughout the system? >>>> >>>> It's a ton of work to change the name. I'm curious why you want to >>>> create a derivative distro? Besides all kinds of subtle breakage in >>>> the base system, many ports will break/stop working properly. >>> >>> I agree entirely. For this reason, I think it would be best to keep >>> system internals (e.g. uname, includes, etc.) using the name OpenBSD >>> with only the main user-visible parts changed to a new name. >> >> Don't think too far ahead. but do talk to a lawyer if you decide to >> try to publish a derivative. >> >> (I think you do understand that you have to leave the opyright notices >> as they are, but that's not the worst of the problems. If you have the >> money for an hour or two of consultation, you should find a good >> lawyer to talk it over with. Won't solve every problem, but it will >> leave you in a better position to seek solutions.) > > I see your point, but I'm just wondering - if you are recommending that > I get a lawyer, is that because such a distro would upset the OpenBSD > community so much that someone would try to take legal action against me?
That's not what I'm thinking about, no. (But I am not a voice for this community, either.) "Intellectual property" is easy to get confused by, in no small part because the current laws and practices are essentially attempting to undo several centuries of progress making laws and reality match. Sometimes you do what seems to make sense and it has the opposite effect of what you intended. > I don't want to do anything that would hurt the community, so if > feelings about this are that strong, then I won't do it. But really, I > think that taking legal action over something like this is an overreaction. > >>> As for why I want to create the distro, I think that OpenBSD has >>> excellent security, and I would like to create a version without the >>> binary-only microcode included. >> >> The openbsd team has a pretty good track record at deciding which >> binary blobs can be put up with. They also have a relatively good >> track record with persuading companies to open up their source. >> >> Relatively. :-( >> >> I'm not sure, but I'd guess no one else in the libre/opensource >> community can claim a better record. > > Agreed. Thanks for that! (Especially, I like Theo's method of screaming > at manufacturers - because surprisingly, it *actually worked*.) > That's not quite the way I remember it. I would rather describe it as "use of diplomacy". -- Joel Rees Be careful when you look at conspiracy. Look first in your own heart, and ask yourself if you are not your own worst enemy. Arm yourself with knowledge of yourself, as well.
