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

[John Hasler]

mike3 writes:
> Ie. it would be okay to go to a friend and say "I've got this really cool
> unix system called ZNAZZY on my machine", but it would NOT be okay to go
> and make an ad for ZNAZZY that says "ZNAZZY, the best UNIX system on the
> planet! Get ZNAZZY right now by calling (666) 123-1234!" without The Open
> Group's authorization. Have I got that right?

Yes.  It also would be legal to publish an ad saying "ZNAZZY isn't Unix:
it's better than Unix!"

> However, what about if I was talking on a TV show being broadcast around
> the world, and I called it a "unix system" in my discourse there, even if
> it was not an advertisement, promotional, or marketing?  Like if I said
> during my talk when attending the talk show, "I've got a great UNIX
> system on my machine called ZNAZZY."

That would be quite legal.  You might get a letter from The Open Group but
they would be bluffing.

A trademark is the exclusive right to use a mark in trade.
-- 
John Hasler 
john@dhh.gt.org
Dancing Horse Hill
Elmwood, WI USA