Seeing that Guido Van Rossum is Dutch and invented the language in Netherlands, has he said anything about this?
Can't the university where Python was invented be contacted to help as well with any relevant information or documentation?
Python trademark at risk in Europe
151–160 of 168 posts
Re: Python trademark at risk in Europe
#152I (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…
Would someone care to address the faults in my comment rather than just voting me down?
I asked a legitimate question.
Re: Python trademark at risk in Europe
#153Earlier quoted context omitted.
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…
Would someone care to address the faults in my comment rather than just voting me down? I asked a legitimate question.
The argument works both ways: if the PSF cannot assert a trademark on the name "Python," the owners of the python.co.uk domain shouldn't be able to take ownership of the name either. Why are they trying to do it right now?
Re: Python trademark at risk in Europe
#154I (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…
Canonical is based in London UK. Ubuntu makes extensive use of python scripting (I believe Shuttleworth used Python for his original Thawte software). Perhaps they would be prepared to provide evidence statements if approached?
Mate of mine that works at Canonical on Ubuntu says they're aware of it (and are likely preparing evidence)
Re: Python trademark at risk in Europe
#155Earlier quoted context omitted.
Would someone care to address the faults in my comment rather than just voting me down? I asked a legitimate question.
The argument works both ways: if the PSF cannot assert a trademark on the name "Python," the owners of the python.co.uk domain shouldn't be able to take ownership of the name either. Why are they trying to do it right now?
Well that's partly my point.
The owners of python.co.uk have waited 13 years to make a complaint about others using their trademark. And due to this, are arguably in a weak position to claim ownership of the trademark.
So my question is this; are the owners of python.co.uk also being challenged to prove they've used their trademark? Are the owners of python.co.uk being challenged to prove that they've tried to enforce control over the trademark over the 13 years leading up to this case?
If you want an example of what I mean, then check domain name trademark policy: http://wordpressfoundation.org/trademark-policy/
> "All other WordPress-related businesses or projects can use the WordPress name and logo to refer to and explain their services, but they cannot use them as part of a product, project, service, domain, or company name and they cannot use them in any way that suggests an affiliation with or endorsement by the WordPress Foundation or the WordPress open source project. For example, a consulting company can describe its business as “123 Web Services, offering WordPress consulting for small businesses,” but cannot call its business “The WordPress Consulting Company.” Similarly, a business related to WordPress themes can describe itself as “XYZ Themes, the world’s best WordPress themes,” but cannot call itself “The WordPress Theme Portal.”
> Similarly, it’s OK to use the WordPress or WordCamp logo as part of a page that describes your products or services, but it is not OK to use it as part of your company or product logo or branding itself. Under no circumstances is it permitted to use WordPress or WordCamp as part of a top-level domain name."
The reason for this is quite simple, they've been seen to enforce their trademark so if there's ever any disputes, Wordpress are on strong legal ground. However python.co.uk owners have allowed the name -"their" trademark- to be borrowed and used globally. So it's now a grey issue as to whether the aforementioned still have a legal right to that trademark.
So if I understand trademark law, then the PSF should also be challenging python.co.uk to prove that they've made any effort to enforce their trademark before now. I hope for PSF's sake that I am right here because that would put them in a much stronger position to win this dispute than just proving the widespread use of the term under their context alone.
Re: Python trademark at risk in Europe
#156Earlier quoted context omitted.
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.
It's above the animal for me.
Google's not an accurate gauge these days as it's results will be biased depending on who's performing the search.
Google results are trailered to the user based on location, search habits and so on.
Re: Python trademark at risk in Europe
#157I work at Microsoft on http://pytools.codeplex.com & https://www.windowsazure.com/en-us/develop/python . LMK what we can do to help by getting MSFT's legal team on this.
You might see about http://www.python.co.uk/ using the Microsoft logo on their website. (Along with Dell, Cisco, NetApp, Juniper, and Raritan).
Re: Python trademark at risk in Europe
#158Earlier quoted context omitted.
It's above the animal for me.
Google's not an accurate gauge these days as it's results will be biased depending on who's performing the search. Google results are trailered to the user based on location, search habits and so on.
Is that true when you're not logged in to google? Do they tailor based on IP or browser fingerprint?
Re: Python trademark at risk in Europe
#159I (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…
I'm going to ask my manager if I can write a letter on behalf of us, we're in the TeliaSonera family of companies.
But I also think you should hawk some merchandise. T-shirts with the snake, or the Python logo. This would even help your case if people around the world were wearing them or sending in photos wearing them.
Re: Python trademark at risk in Europe
#160Earlier quoted context omitted.
Canonical is based in London UK. Ubuntu makes extensive use of python scripting (I believe Shuttleworth used Python for his original Thawte software). Perhaps they would be prepared to provide evidence statements if approached?
Mate of mine that works at Canonical on Ubuntu says they're aware of it (and are likely preparing evidence)
Excellent, I shall refrain from contacting the uk Ubuntu mailing list regulars in that case