Re: [gentoo-nfp] Gentoo NPO Business Model thoughts

[William L. Thomson Jr.]

On Mon, 2007-12-17 at 21:49 -0500, William L. Thomson Jr. wrote:
> On Mon, 2007-12-17 at 14:37 -0800, Chris Gianelloni wrote:
>
> > What questions?
>
> Well like given that Gentoo kinda doesn't exist legally as a business
> entity atm. Since the New Mexico filings have expired. Kinda curious
> about legal ownership of Trademark or etc. If that is an issue with
> joining them or not. Or how they plan to deal with all that.
>
> Time frame, if the time ever comes to leave. Sure it's an open door
> policy but doesn't seem to have any time frame. Legal things can take
> forever. More so if one side is uncooperative. Which could be possible
> since they will dictate status and legal aspects of any entity they
> transfer the assets and etc to.
>
> Is it possible for Gentoo to get it's own tax return filed, and not be
> part of their combined return? Can Gentoo be a NPO but not one that
> people can donate to with them still managing the NPO and foundational
> things?
>
> Is there a limit to hours of legal counsel and etc?
>
> What all areas of law will they handle?

Another question I forgot or something to consider. The whole having to
make donations out to the Conservancy identifying the funds are for
Project X. That might be a harder sell, since companies will be cutting
the check to the Conservancy. Might be harder to declare or explain.
Verses being able to cut a check to the Gentoo Foundation Specifically.
What happens if someone starts to donate to multiple projects at the
SFC? Those are things that might matter to donors and could hinder
donations.

Could Gentoo be managed as an entity to where checks could still be cut
to the Gentoo Foundation? Likely goes along with being able to have our
own stand along tax return. Verse group combined tax return for all
projects managed by the SFC.

-- 
William L. Thomson Jr.
Gentoo/Java