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

[mike3]

On Jan 26, 5:38 pm, John Hasler <j...@dhh.gt.org> wrote:
> 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.

Ah, OK. That makes a lot more sense.