Re: ecos logo

[Alex Schuilenburg <alexs@ecoscentric.com>]

Andrew Lunn wrote:
> On Sat, Oct 02, 2004 at 04:41:01PM +0300, Larry Marsh wrote:
> 
>>Hi,
>>i was wondering if the ecos logo is copyrighted,
>>and can it be used on products running eCos RTOS -
>>(for example in documentation, on product's box etc.)
>>I asked the free software foundation about that but
>>they told me to write here. Can anybody help?
> 
> 
> http://sources.redhat.com/ml/ecos-maintainers/2003-05/msg00022.html
> 
> might be of some help. Since its a Trade Mark of RedHat i guess you
> really need to ask RedHats lawyers for a definitive answer. 

I can save you the trouble since I know what getting a response from Red 
Hat lawyers is like (actually, so do the maintainers - we are now in the 
10th month since the Red Hat -> FSF assignment announcement and still no 
assignment)

First, IANAL.

Next, everyone can have fair use of the eCos trademark as long as they 
are referring to the real eCos and acknowledge ownership.

Lastly, use of the stylized version of the logo.  There is a difference 
between the copyright of the logo and the eCos trademark, especially the 
use thereof.  You can use the trademark as above, but stylized versions 
that have copyrights do require permission before use.  That said, we 
(while at Cygnus and Red Hat) were aware of other people using the logo 
and never enforced copyright in its use.  Since leaving, I doubt their 
position has changed, espcially since their announcement to donate the 
copyright of ecos and redboot code to the FSF. Red Hat will most likely 
have no interest in suddenly starting to enforce the copyright. By all 
means contact Red Hat legal if you want to make your use of the logo 
watertight, although I doubt you will find their lack of response helpful.

In all likelihood, the copyrighted logo will also be transferred to the 
FSF, and then it will be their responsibility and that of the 
maintainers what they wish to do regarding permitting use of the 
copyrighted logo. Hence, IMHO, you can use the logo as you suggest. The 
risk Red Hat will suddenly start enforcing copyright is small. That 
said, once (if) copyright has been transferred to the FSF, it is the FSF 
and ecos maintainers that will decide on its use outside the FSF.

-- Alex




> 
>        Andrew