Python Trademark At Risk In Europe 122
mvar writes "A company in the UK is trying to trademark the 'Python' term for all things computing. The Python Software Foundation is asking for help. According to the PSF, they contacted the company in order to settle the matter but 'They blew us off and responded by filing the community trademark application claiming the exclusive right to use "Python" for software, servers, and web services — everywhere in Europe.' They now seek help from the community in several ways: By sending a letter to the EU council if you happen to work on a company that uses the Python programming language, by providing EU-published material regarding the Python language (articles etc) and/or financially supporting the PSF in the upcoming legal battle."
Easily resolved (Score:5, Insightful)
Everyone hits social media, hard - their name won't be worth toffee in the tech world. Which is ironically who they are trying to sell to.
Make it clear you wouldn't do business with them - and wait until they relent.
Even Linus registered the Linux trademark long ago (Score:5, Insightful)
call up this company (Score:5, Insightful)
how about all of us calling this company up, several times a day, and *politely* telling them what we think? the sheer number of calls would, just from them having to answer the phone, cause them to lose money, as well as make it clear that we're not impressed.
So who is the company ? (Score:5, Insightful)
Name & shame them!
Re:Simple: Change name of the programming language (Score:5, Insightful)
what IS the PROBLEM here? (Score:1, Insightful)
What did the company do that is wrong? They had the domain registered for years, why shouldn't they be allowed to make python servers? It's not like anyone who isn't an idiot would confuse python-server-hardware with python-programming-language.
Is there some back story somewhere that show the company acting dickish? When I saw the headline I was ready to grab my pitchfork (even though I'm a Ruby guy), but the "plea for help" doesn't justify any anger.
Bone-headed Decision by Veber/Pobox (Parent Comp.) (Score:5, Insightful)
So let me get this straight:
A UK-based ISP/Cloud services company offers Linux/Windows based Cloud Servers and they think it's a good idea to name the product range after a well-known programming language?
It's a nice way to "gain the trust" of potential customers - "Yeah we're the guys that screwed over the Python community (we totally stressed them out and cost them major $ too) - buy our stuff you can trust us!"
"btw, we off Linux installed on our servers too. Ironic don't you think?"
No doubt this will gain a lot of negative publicity especially on sites like slashdot.org - you know the very people that know a lot about ISP/cloudy services!!!!!
I'm getting some popcorn.
Re:Great justice system as usual (Score:5, Insightful)
The company is *trying* to trademark it, no misdeeds by the justice system yet. Only the regular human stupidity and greed so far.
Re:what IS the PROBLEM here? (Score:2, Insightful)
> exclusive right to use "Python" for software, servers, and web services
There's at least two idiots who couldn't even read TFS, you and someone who modded you up. Really, you don't see how Python-programming-language and any Python-based project with Pythonin the name can infringe on Python-software or Python-web-services trademark?
Re:Just oppose the mark.. and Python was First (Score:5, Insightful)
Ignoring unjust laws and lawsuits based upon them is good.
NO NO NO NO. No one in the US should ever follow this advice because it will very likely destroy you and whatever cause you seek to promote.
You don't do civil disobedience by ignoring lawsuits because the judge is going to consider a lack of rebuttal on your part as an acceptance of the claims made by the plaintiff. In essence, by ignoring the lawsuit (assuming it was properly served) you are saying "Yeah, just accept whatever that guy says, and make it fact from the perspective of the law"
The concept of civil disobedience against an unjust law is that when you ignore the law, you sure as hell DO SHOW UP IN COURT and explain exactly why you did not follow that law. Appearing before a judge is the EXACT THING YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO DO because that is your first best chance to get someone to literally judge your case. The judge could very well say "Yes, that law is unjust and you are free to go." Or he might not, but the point is you must accept the penalty for your actions and work your way though the judicial system.
Ignoring a lawsuit is the worst possible legal advice I have ever seen on the internet. Perhaps the only thing you could have given which was worse advice is to ignore the lawsuit, and then threaten the judge and the judge's family... Very bad advice.
I'll say it again, never never never never ignore a lawsuit. If someone files a lawsuit against you, go get a lawyer, and be prepared to present your case to a judge.
Re:what IS the PROBLEM here? (Score:4, Insightful)
They had the domain registered for years, why shouldn't they be allowed to make python servers? It's not like anyone who isn't an idiot would confuse python-server-hardware with python-programming-language.
Google Python webserver. Then think about what you've just said....