[Commons-l] proposed policy - Commons:Trademarks

Wed Sep 6 10:26:27 UTC 2006

On 06/09/06, Brianna Laugher <brianna.laugher at gmail.com> wrote:

> It's pretty simple: I propose we formalise the policy of not accepting
> trademarks, regardless of their copyright status.
> http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Commons:Trademarks

Sounds plausible on the surface. But.
    * What about spurious trademark claims? Apple has been threatening
everyone who uses the prefix "i-" or the suffix "-pod".
    * Trademark law is far from uniform internationally. Which sets of
trademark laws do we decide to ignore?
    * How many and which countries must it be trademarked in?
    * How do we deal with claimed trademarks that are not registered trademarks?

- d.