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

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

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

> Ken Arromdee wrote:
>> Why can't Debian do the same thing that is done with US export licenses?
>> Don't put restrictions on use of the logo bitmap, but say "note that this
>> does not excuse you from obeying the law, which prohibits you from using the
>> trademark to identify your product..."
>> 
>> Just make it clear that the license allows use of the logo in the sense that a
>> user of the logo won't be sued for copyright violation, and does not address
>> other reasons why someone might not be allowed to use the logo.
>
> This would leave the logo clearly non-free; the DFSG does not only cover
> copyright-based restrictions on Freedom.

"Cover," "Freedom," "Leave," and any use of the phrase "clear logo"
are trademarks of their respective owners, so this mail message cannot
be distributed in Debian.

See how silly this gets?  A trademark restriction isn't an aspect of a
work, and it's not a good idea to trace chains of works to look for
trademarks.  A trademark right is to a pairing of an idea and a domain,
while a copyright is to an expression of an idea.  Debian's decision
to maintain its trademark rights in both the Open and restricted logos
seems perfectly defensible to me.

-Brian

-- 
Brian Sniffen                                       bts@alum.mit.edu