Re: GNU, the "UNIX" trademark, and legal control over language

[John Hasler]

mike3 writes:
> Why can't GNU systems, BSD systems, etc. be called "unix systems" in
> everyday conversational language?

They can.

> How does The Open Group's ownership of the UNIX(R) trademark trample on
> our ability to use "unix systems" in everyday conversational English?

It doesn't.  A trademark owner has no power to limit use of his mark in
everyday conversation.

> Is the US Government, and perhaps those of other countries, (maybe even
> international treaty!) actually capable of regulating the language like
> that?

The US government is not.  I can't say about others.

> I, personally, do not think a government should be able to control the
> language in this way.

The US government can't (and doesn't try).

> ...trademarking has to do, or at least _should_ have to do, with the
> names one markets a product under...

It does.

> ...not what names we should choose to use to refer to something in our
> everyday speech.

It doesn't.
-- 
John Hasler 
john@dhh.gt.org
Dancing Horse Hill
Elmwood, WI USA