Re: Bug#265352: grub: Debian splash images for Grub

[Brian Thomas Sniffen <bts@alum.mit.edu>]

Josh Triplett <josh.trip@verizon.net> writes:

> No; the problem is that the *work*, meaning the Debian logo, would be
> non-free, because it would not grant all the rights required by the
> DFSG.  Specifically, you could not take the logo and use it in any way
> you choose, in any field of endeavor, including the field of software.

The Debian logo is not a work.  It is depicted in many works.  The
logo is the idea which is expressed in all those works.  Any work, no
matter how derived, which expresses that idea depicts the Debian logo
and is a trademark of Debian.

And any license which claims to free the logo by relaxing these
requirements causes the idea in question to no longer be the logo of
Debian.  That's just how trademark law works.  All those people who
think that you have to defend your copyrights or lose them -- this is
the non-bullshit version of what they're thinking about.  What you're
arguing would require that Debian have no logo.  I'm not convinced
that's an awful idea, but I sure don't think it's a good one.  If you
think it's a good one, go over to -project and argue that the Project
should have no logo or name, and should relinquish its trademarks.
 
-Brian

-- 
Brian Sniffen                                       bts@alum.mit.edu