[ale] OT: sort of it is about OSS

[Jay Lozier]

On 02/15/2013 11:36 AM, Jeff Hubbs wrote:
> On 2/14/13 10:43 PM, Scott Castaline wrote:
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>> Has anyone seen this?
>> http://pyfound.blogspot.com/2013/02/python-trademark-at-risk-in-europe-we.html 
>>
>>
>> Are trademarks treated differently that patents? To me it just seems
>> like a pile of crap that someone can come along and do that to someone
> Yes.  Patents are a temporary monopoly on an idea, granted by 
> government in exchange for full disclosure.
Trademarks have an indefinite lifespan. Once you register a trademark 
you must actively enforce (civil court) your trademark against all 
infringement. If the courts ever rule you have not been diligent about 
protecting your trademark you will lose it permanently. Aspirin was a 
trademark for Bayer in the US but has long since been lost. There are 
many product names that actually started out as trademarks and were at 
some point lost. Several others in the US include (from Wikipedia): 
Aqua-lung, Aspirin, Escalator, Heroin, Kerosene, Phillips-head screw, 
Pogo, Thermos, Yo-yo, and Zipper.

-- 
Jay Lozier
jslozier at gmail.com

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