Revision 13 as of 2006-06-16 13:54:43

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THIS PAGE IS A DRAFT PSF POLICY DOCUMENT -- NOT FINAL OR OFFICIAL IN ANY WAY!


(This is a more liberal, less restrictive alternative proposal to PythonSoftwareFoundationTrademarkPolicy)

"Python" is a registered trademark, and the Python logos (in several variants) are trademarks of the Python Software Foundation.

With all trademarks, even those that apply to open source software, there are certain legally defined requirements for maintaining trademarks. If these requirements are not met, the trademark is endangered or lost.

One of these requirements is for the trademark owner (in this case the Python Software Foundation) to enforce acceptable use of the trademarks by serving any violators with notice.

The policy that follows is a guideline for what is and is not acceptable use of PSF held trademarks (the word "Python" and the Python logo or variants of the Python logo).

Note that the PSF, as owner of the trademarks, reserves the right to deny any use of the trademark. While there is no limit yo how the PSF may exercise this right, in practice it is used only to prevent damaging or extremely offensive uses of the marks, or uses that expose the PSF or Python to liability.

General Goals

In general, we want "Python" and the Python logos to be used without restriction to refer to the Python programming language.

We do not want them to be used:

Commercial Use

Any commercial use of the trademarks in product or company names must be approved first by the PSF. Some uses like calling a company "The Python Company", or a product "Python Language" or "Python IDE" will be refused because they are overly broad and confuse whether Python is open source or commercial.

Any commercial use of a derived (modified) logo for any purpose, must also be approved first by the PSF.

All other commercial uses in line with this policy do not require approval from the PSF. However, when in doubt, contact the PSF.

How to Use the Trademarks

Examples

There are three classes of trademark uses:

Use of "Python"

Unaltered logos

Derived Logos

Notes

The word "Python" is a registered trademark in the United States of America:

http://tarr.uspto.gov/servlet/tarr?regser=serial&entry=76044902

However, registration is just part of what defines a trademark -- actual use over time is often just as important, especially in regions where the trademark has not yet been registered officially.

PSF sponsors and members do not receive any preferential treatment under this policy.

Commercial trademark uses that predate this policy (prior to June 2006) are not required to seek permission from the PSF if the use is consistent with this policy. However, seeking permission is recommended and the PSF reserves the right to deny trademark use in cases that violate this policy, even if such uses predate this policy. Please note: We are not currently aware of any prior commercial uses of the trademarks that do violate this policy.

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