Re: Free Debian logos?
We allow others to specify that if their work is modified, the
modifier must change the name. We try to narrowly tailor such clauses
when they're proposed, but we do allow it. The logo is Debian's name
-- just not in English. It represents Debian just as much as the
word "Debian" does. So even by a copyright license, we'd allow others
to insist that their names or logos are changed.
Alternately to issuing a license to use the trademark for
non-confusing purposes, Debian could issue no trademark license at
all. In that case, either Debian would lose its trademark rights, or
it would have to enforce the default trademark rights against those
who used the logo. Neither is free. The proposed license, I think,
is as free as you can make a trademark license. Remember that some
sorts of trademark license can cost the owner the trademark. I don't
think we want to push Debian or others towards those.
As to your proposed license:
> * You may use modified versions of the logo under any of these
> circumstances, if you clearly and unambiguously identify the origin
> of the logo as being the Debian logo, and satisfy the requirements
> for using the unmodified logo above.
I don't think that's Free. It may just be as un-free as a patch
clause, and so DFSG-free. But it means I can't make a new logo, no
matter how different, which includes a modified copy of the Debian
logo, no matter how distinct.
I do think that "clearly and unambiguously" are either strict enough
to be non-free, or lawyer-bombs if it's argued that there's latitude
there. Does that require a message in the image? In multiple
languages?
Also, you probably mean "imply any *false* endorsement *by* or
affiliation with Debian"
-Brian
--
Brian Sniffen bts@alum.mit.edu
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