Hi everyone
I'm a free software developer and I have several questions about dfsg, trademarks and copyright.
1) If I have an free software/open source project and I register its logo and name as a trademark. It seems legit for several reasons
-> I want to promote and protect my brand. If someone modify the code it's fine but he or she should change the name of the project to avoid any confusion between the original project and fork (this doesn't seems contrary to open source software since it's the code which is open and available for everyone)
-> can for instance debian distribute a modified version of my software with the original name ? It seems like a lie to me since your potential modifications might introduce bugs and issues I'm not responsible for. It gives to my project a bad picture.
What's done to prevent this ?
-> imagine if someone modify debian and introduce bugs and doesn't change the name. It's your project that will have a bad reputation. It's not just a theoretical case but it happened in one of the project where I contribute.
2) As a way to get funding and money. If a commercial company wants to support an open source project by becoming sponsor and include their logo in the software (for instance in an about menu or in the map of a game). Their logo and name are obviously trademarked and copyrighted. If I include this logo will my project be considered as dfsg friendly ? Considering the whole package except the logo and sponsors part are open and free for modifications.
There is no way a company will "openly" allow their logo to be modified. In fact even debian protect its own logo.
https://www.debian.org/trademark
Does that mean open source and free software project can't include sponsor logo and company name ?
3) if a debian packager modify my software for any reason. Will they warn me about modifications ? Will they change the name to avoid any confusion between my original project and the "fork" made by debian ? Will they remove sponsor logo for instance without warning us ?
I hope my questions aren't already answered.
Thanks for your answer
Kind regards
Sam