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Python trademark at risk in Europe

pyfound.blogspot.ca

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Re: Python trademark at risk in Europe

#141

Post by erre »

pdknsk wrote: post #34

This is mostly OT, but when browsing python.org for listed corporate sponsors, I noticed that some characters like ä or é are rendered as diamonds. This is because the page charset is utf-8, but the mentioned characters are encoded in iso-8859-1. http://python.org/psf/donations/ Yeah, minor as can be, but IMO when someone donates they should've have spelled their name right. I'm reporting this here because someone wh…

> PS. IMO there is not much reason to worry. Python has so many friends. Google should buy the company and close it.

And therefore make their attempted coup work, by giving them loads of money?

Makes no sense. Better fight this, make them pay legal costs, and drive them back into insignificance.

Re: Python trademark at risk in Europe

#142

Post by professorTuring »

MartinMcGirk wrote: post #136
professorTuring wrote: post #132

I have been developing in python in Spain (EU) since long ago and I can't see how a product called "Python", as in "I will buy the latest Python server" or "We have connected the radius to the Python Authentication Web Service" is going to confuse anyone. I can see how this issue bothers the PSF, but I don't think PSF can claim "python" name for every technical-related topic. I think a much better approach would be t…

I happen to think that you are wrong. As someone who only started teaching himself the python language last week (but who has seen it around the web for a lot longer) I would naturally assume that "Python server" was some variation of the python language meant for web tasks. In the context of IT, the word "Python" for me refers unambiguously to the programming language, and any other uses of this word in the context…

I don't agree you. "Python server" won't never be a development kit name, maybe Python Server Development Kit (PSDK, which I'm about to register :P [just kidding]).

Maybe two sysadmin talking each other will say "I'm going to start the python server" and if they have a Python Machine and a piece of python software who accomplish a task it will be a bit confusing. But I don't think that an user searching for information about python software development is going to get confused about this.

I think this is quite close to the "iPhone" dispute in Brazil. Do you think that somebody searching for an Apple iPhone in Brazil is going to get confused with a Gradiente Eletronica SA gadget?

The same thing is happening here.

-- About your "google" suggestion, this is completely different. Google is not a common noun, it is "invented" and it has a rightful trademark. But I guess you can create a programming language called apple. Apple will try to dispute it, but you will certainly keep the apple name after the resolution.

Again, this is my POV =)

Re: Python trademark at risk in Europe

#143

Post by jespersaron »

jorde wrote: post #71
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…

At least Aalto University in Finland uses Python as the entry level teaching language nowadays [1]. I don't know anyone from the CS department but I'll do my best to reach out to them about the matter. [1]: https://noppa.aalto.fi/noppa/kurssi/t-106.1208/

Tartu University in Estonia apparently uses Python for introductory programming course that is called "Programming".

Description of the course and its objectives, both in Estonian and English: https://www.is.ut.ee/reports/rwservlet?oa_aine_info.rdf+1010...

Learning material, in Estonian but there is Python code everywhere: http://courses.cs.ut.ee/2011/programmeerimine/uploads/Arvuti...

Re: Python trademark at risk in Europe

#144

Post by hakre »

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?

This is a stupid question to ask. Naturally they will not loose their right to use the name.

Re: Python trademark at risk in Europe

#145

Post by gouyou »

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?

Here is a french magazine with python on the cover in 2000: http://www.ed-diamond.com/produit.php?ref=lmag17&id_rubr...

I remember some other french magazine having a python introduction from a bit before.

I also have some really old SuSE CDs from that point in time with python on it.

Re: Python trademark at risk in Europe

#148

Post by laumars »

hakre wrote: post #144
kibwen wrote: post #3

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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?

This is a stupid question to ask. Naturally they will not loose their right to use the name.

There's no need to be hostile in your response to a legitimate question; even if the answer seems painfully obvious to yourself and others.

After all, we all learn by asking questions.

Re: Python trademark at risk in Europe

#149

Post by laumars »

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…

Do the owners of python.co.uk not have to prove the legitimacy of their right to the name as well? I'm fairly sure that trademark law works on the principle that you have to be seen to defend your trademark in order for it to be considered your intellectual property (it's why you often see silly stories in the news about big companies chasing after trivial businesses then settling quietly out of court). As the other company has let "their" trademark fester for 13 years, I can't see how they have any legitimate legal claim.
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