On Wed, Dec 18, 2002 at 08:58:40AM +0000, Eric Fernandez wrote: > IMO : the code source is GPL, so you can use it, fork it sell it, etc.. > using the terms of the GPL, which are : you have to display the authors > of the program and clearly indicate the changes that you made. Now, what > Mandrakesoft prevents you is using the "Mandrakesoft" trademark as > advertisement or promotion to commercialise their product. This is not > the same thing : on one hand, the GPL ask you to make a notice of the > authors when you use their intellectual work, and this, Mandrakesoft > cannot prevent you to do it, because they would prevent you to fullfill > the terms of the GPL, thus they would break the GPL themselves. On the > other hand, the GPL does not grant you the right to use the reputation > of a trade mark. In this latter case, this is not the GPL which applies, > but the laws on trade marks.
It's an esoteric issue. I can see interpretations of it in several ways. No matter what the interpretation is, Mandrake should publically explain in very precise terms what they are asking of everyone. -- Ben Reser <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> http://ben.reser.org "If you're not making any mistakes, you're flat out not trying hard enough." - Jim Nichols
