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Open source leads to suit wearing (was Re: [svlug] "Open Source" needs your help! ("Eric S. Raymond"))



The trademarked use of the term open source should be discouraged.

It is a term for those who believe free software is overly strong language.  It
is not open (since they define GPL software to be open source that means you
cannot add copy-for-a-fee software to it which is to say that it is really a
flavor of closed product software).  It is a trademark defined to mean the
opposite of what its apparent meaning is.  Free and open are very different
words, and free is far more communicative which is why these new free software
marketer types try to get us to avoid using the term free.

As surely as marijuana leads to heroin, use of the term open source could lead
your teenagers into the wearing of suits.  Don't let them do it.

Hans

Paul Cubbage wrote:

> Defending a registered trade mark can be a lot of effort.  If you knowingly
> ignore its misuse, you can lose it.  You should draft a standard letter for
> mailing to anyone who misuses it e.g. "open source" within a context dealing
> with the subject is a misuse just as "coke" is when referring to a cola.
> As a side note, you often get to annoy journalists, most of whom you want on
> your side.  They do however, generally understand the issue.
> Paul Cubbage
> PC Innovations
> 23450 Old Santa Cruz Hwy
> Los Gatos, CA 95032
> 408-353-2164 408-353-8181FAX
> pcubbage@ix.netcom.com
>
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