Linus trademarks Linux

[Mayur]

Companies to be charged for free software. That is sad. Linux is meant to be open source and free and now they gotta pay to develop it.
http://www.theinquirer.net/?article=25529

 

[Xyzer]

Hmm... Thats sad, if its free, then why do that?

 

[adam_uk]

imho this is a good thing

if people are going to pay to develop linux then they will put more effort into getting the most out of their money. which means better linux distros for all

 

[vimkar]

i don't think that this is new...

there are a lot of linux distribution for which you have to pay a fee ...
especially if you intend to sell computers with linux .... :wave:

 

[Element]

Yes thats always true vimkar.

 

[Dave_Z]

Well, they do need the money to support their efforts to continue upgrading
and what have you.

Only time will tell if it'll be worth it.

 

[Werpon]

This only applies to trademarks that include the term "Linux". For example, if you sell a product called "Foobar Linux" or own a business called "Whatsoever Linux Consulting" you'll have to pay. If you develop a Linux distro but its name is not a trademark you won't have to pay a dime.

 

[monRa]

Yeah, you cannot get linux server without paying the linux, right?
THe tradermark issue sucks a bit!

 

[primacomputer]

There seems to be a lot of confusion over what this actually means. It does not, in any way, have to do with charging for linux, funding development or anything of the sort. The goal is simply to regulate the use of the name so as to avoid confusion and ensure that there is a certain quality of product that bears the name linux.

Without this someone like Microsoft could simply come along, package an inferior product (like windows XP) in a box that says MS Linux 2005, and sell it. Unfortunately I don't see this trademark thing working. You can't simply let everyone use your trademark for more than ten years and then claim you want to enforce it. The hundreds of registered trademarks around the world that incorporate linux into the name should make that clear enough that it's now simply a descriptive word anyone can use.

 

[barefoottech]

One point you have missed though is GPL does not mean "FREE"
as in "No cost"
The was nothing stoppng anyone from selling Linux Distros in the past ,Linus is just trying to protect His trademark.

One thing that needs to stop for Linux to continue is the absolute mad number of Distros being created often from different development streams

And with IBM and others already using Linux , Microsoft Linux# is a real possibility ,they have done the same thing before, (C# ,Jscript, Vbasic ) are just 3 of many examples of Microsoft embracing existing technology and Making Money from it.

 

[phpwiz]

hummmm, i got www.linuxboards.net any TM issues now?

 

[primacomputer]

They can always send you a nasty letter. If that's an “issue” then you have an issue. Would they take you to court? Probably not. Would they win? No way. I have linux names as well and my position is that linux is a generic word, a genericized trademark at best. I will fight any attempt to interfere with my use of the names, and I will win.

I appreciate that they have good intentions in what they are trying to do. Unfortunately what they are trying to do doesn't work within the framework of the law.

 

[admans]

Its a gud news and its better fer all .....