Digimer <lists@...> writes:
On 09/03/14 08:26 PM, Always Learning wrote:
On Sun, Mar 9, 2014 at 5:12 PM, Pouar <thepouar@...> wrote:
I'm thinking of creating a project based on JBoss EAP the same way CentOS does with RHEL. Obviously I can't call it JBoss EAP so I thought I could call it CentAP, for Community Enterprise Application Platform. Will this infringe on the Red Hat and/or CentOS trademarks?
<SNIP>
Personally, I would:
a) Not use Cent* b) Ask a trademark lawyer
Best advice so far ^^^^
IANAL of any kind and specifically not a trademark lawyer.
As I understand it, trademark law differs from other IP law in that the trademark owner must "defend" their trademark or they lose it. It's great when a trademarked word becomes synonymous with something (Kleenex, Xerox, etc.) but it also means the company that owns the trademark has to actively go after (C&D) anyone who uses their trademarked word. This also apparently holds for companies that deliberately create a product that has almost the same name as a trademarked product (I remember seeing a picture of a tube of Colgade toothpaste in the article discussing this).
So, while CentAP or some of the other suggestions may not infringe on CentOS, you could still get a C&D from a Red Hat lawyer telling you not to use CentAP. Unless you can afford a really good trademark lawyer to fight the C&D, you'll have to discontinue use of CentAP (or whatever). Your choice.
Clear as mud? That's why lawyers make lots of money.
Cheers, Dave