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Python trademark at risk in Europe

pyfound.blogspot.ca

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Re: Python trademark at risk in Europe

#51

Post by arcatek »

detst wrote: post #45
MichaelGG wrote: post #39

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's not at all - that means you're ceding many rights to the authors of the software. Suppose I want to use open source X from Company Y, and they had that provision. Then I find that Company Y is pirating my software, slandering, hacking our servers - if I sue them, I now lose my license? Why would I build on something that lets the owner act against me with relative impunity (assuming the software is something cri…

I considered that and I'll admit that I was being a bit lazy with my comment but I think it could be written in a reasonable way. Perhaps a license fee attached to any failed legal action. Or even limit to certain types of legal action.

We can't even be sure that Python-the-company is using Python-the software, so ...

Furthermore, I think the problem is not here, the PSF clearly made a mistake by not registering the name (it's not a matter of 'bad law'). If we apply your solution, then it would mean that a company which does not use Python can still ask to register a global trademark named on the term.

Re: Python trademark at risk in Europe

#52

Post by X-Istence »

kibwen wrote: post #3
VanL wrote: post #2

I (and probably several other) members of the board will be on this thread to answer any questions. Van Lindberg Chairman, Python Software Foundation Edit: I have been asked what sort of statements would be helpful. I can't tell you exactly what to say - it needs to be your statement, but we need to make it clear that when someone says "Python" in relation to software, or a "Python server," or with "Python experience…

What would the ramifications be if the PSF loses the rights to the name "Python" in Europe? Would it force the language itself to be rebranded for all European usage?

I can imagine that at that point the company owning the Python trademark would be able to go after other companies offering Python services for trademark infringement, and various other legal threats related to it...

Re: Python trademark at risk in Europe

#53

Post by maigret »

nonamegiven wrote: post #32

Europe seems to see Python as the name of a computer langauge. CERN uses Python. https://duckduckgo.com/?q=cern+python They developed the PythonRoot package: http://alcaraz.home.cern.ch/alcaraz/PythonRoot/ It's probably of interest that this and many other Python packages have the word "Python" in the name of the package. I would hate to have to wonder whether PythonCoolPackage was for the Python language, or for int…

Yes, in Europe as well, I can confirm. In IT, Python is the programming language. On Google, even typed as a single word, it appears also on top of the search results beneath the animal.

Re: Python trademark at risk in Europe

#54

Post by anigbrowl »

This is a prime example of why you have to vigorously police and defend a trade mark in order to reap the benefits from it. People complain when a large company does it to a small one, but if they don't they can easily find themselves in a situation like this.

Re: Python trademark at risk in Europe

#55

Post by briancurtin »

egor83 wrote: post #31
VanL wrote: post #2

I (and probably several other) members of the board will be on this thread to answer any questions. Van Lindberg Chairman, Python Software Foundation Edit: I have been asked what sort of statements would be helpful. I can't tell you exactly what to say - it needs to be your statement, but we need to make it clear that when someone says "Python" in relation to software, or a "Python server," or with "Python experience…

Is it possible to put a link to this post on Python news page? http://python.org/news/ I'm going to forward this to some people working with Python in Europe, and I guess a link to the homepage might look more credible that to a blog.

Yep, good point - I'm working on it (blog poster who is on a new laptop without a working website checkout).

Re: Python trademark at risk in Europe

#56

Post by zwp »

VanL wrote: post #47
adamt wrote: post #40

I am from the UK and been programming in Python since before that domain was registered and happy to help. Am I missing something, if you go to Amazon.co.uk and search for "python" (not just in books, but a top level saerch) - (e.g. http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%... ) the top results are all books about the Python programming language published in the UK. Similarly search for "Python" on…

Thanks - this is a great thought. Our UK lawyers are going to be receiving a pretty decent Python library. :) Are there similar books in German, Italian, French, and Spanish?

Yes, lots. A quick sample below just based on searching amazon.{fr,it,es,de}. Good luck.

French:

Apprendre à programmer avec Python 3 (Learn to program with python 3) http://www.amazon.fr/Apprendre-%C3%A0-programmer-avec-Python...

Python - Les Fondamentaux du langage (Python: foundations of the language) http://www.amazon.fr/Python-fondamentaux-langage-Nouvelle-%C...

German:

Python 3: Das umfassende Handbuch (Python 3: The Comprehensive Handbook) http://www.amazon.de/Python-umfassende-Handbuch-Galileo-Comp...

Python von Kopf bis Fuß (Python from Head to Toe) http://www.amazon.de/Python-von-Kopf-bis-Fu%C3%9F/dp/3897213...

Einstieg in Python (Starting python) http://www.amazon.de/Einstieg-Python-Programmieranf%C3%A4nge...

Spanish:

Python para administración de sistemas Unix y Linux (Python for Unix and Linux System Administration) http://www.amazon.es/Python-administraci%C3%B3n-sistemas-Ore...

Python 3 - al descubierto (Python 3 Discovered) http://www.amazon.es/Python-descubierto-Arturo-Fernandez-Mon...

Python. Guía de referencia (Python Reference Guide) http://www.amazon.es/Python-referencia-Oreilly-anaya-Multime...

Italian:

Programmazione in Python (Programming in Python) http://www.amazon.it/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1/276-0254377-1517700?...

Imparare Python (Learn Python) http://www.amazon.it/Imparare-Python-Mark-Lutz/dp/8848125956...

Re: Python trademark at risk in Europe

#57

Post by grabeh »

VanL wrote: post #24
grabeh wrote: post #18

It should be stressed that usage of the mark must be shown to be of more than local significance to defeat the application from the UK company. Consequently it is vital that folks from as many EU countries as possible respond to the request in the post. I am surprised in some ways that you couldn't have attracted some pro bono assistance for this cause. This is a case that I would have loved to have drafted the oppos…

Thanks for your words - and we would love to get your assistance and advice. Unfortunately, our network of Python-using lawyers is much thinner in Europe than in the US. Feel free to contact me!

Sure thing - will send an email. Looks like K&S have got things fully under control at present (had a look at the OHIM filings) but happy to be a sounding board or provide whatever input I can.

Re: Python trademark at risk in Europe

#58

Post by craftman »

VanL wrote: post #47
adamt wrote: post #40

I am from the UK and been programming in Python since before that domain was registered and happy to help. Am I missing something, if you go to Amazon.co.uk and search for "python" (not just in books, but a top level saerch) - (e.g. http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%... ) the top results are all books about the Python programming language published in the UK. Similarly search for "Python" on…

Thanks - this is a great thought. Our UK lawyers are going to be receiving a pretty decent Python library. :) Are there similar books in German, Italian, French, and Spanish?

http://www.amazon.fr/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_c_0_6?__mk_fr_FR=%C3%85M...

Re: Python trademark at risk in Europe

#59

Post by malkarouri »

I did an RHCE exam in 2003, in their place in Surrey (Guildford IIRC). I am pretty sure that Red Hat is a long time user and has been using Python to mean the language in their software and documentation in the UK a long time ago. Can you contact Red Hat or users of their software of exams for the last twenty years to confirm that? I imagine they would be happy to help.
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