From: Steve Langasek <vorlon@netexpress.net> To: debian-devel@lists.debian.org, debian-legal@lists.debian.orgSubject: Re: Debian trademark [was: Debian GNU/w32, may ready to be started?]Date: Mon, 3 Dec 2001 16:36:36 -0600 On Mon, Dec 03, 2001 at 03:43:09PM -0500, Dale Scheetz wrote: > While I agree with what you say, as it has already been mentioned GNU is > not a trademark. Granted. I assumed that a name as prominent as 'GNU' would have been trademarked, but it seems I was mistaken.
Just because a mark/name has not been registered does not mean it is not a trademark. In most common-law countries (e.g., U.S., Canada, U.K.), trademark rights are available without registration where a name has been used by a trader in association with its (or its licensee's) wares and services to distinguish them from those of others. Registration simply provides more rights.
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