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On Sun, Feb 5, 2012 at 1:56 PM, Fabian Groffen <grobian@g.o> wrote: |
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> I'd like to discuss the recently received email on "official permission |
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> to promote Gentoo on Facebook as Gentoo Linux Poland group", and in |
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> particular whether this is something for the Council, or for the |
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> trustees instead. |
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> |
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> I recall something about the use of Gentoo, it's logo, etc., but can't |
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> find it. I would like to focus the discussion on the sub-question |
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> raised in the email, if and how we (Council) can support initiatives to |
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> promote Gentoo. |
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|
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Well, use of the Gentoo name and logo are definite Trustee issues (if |
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anybody wants an exception to the policies the trustees have to grant |
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it). However, I'm sure we're all interested in cooperating with the |
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Council on any suggestions they have/etc. |
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|
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Right now there is a page regarding use of the Gentoo name and logo: |
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http://www.gentoo.org/main/en/name-logo.xml |
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|
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We're actually in the process of updating the policy - not so much to |
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change it as to deal with a bunch of questions that keep coming up |
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regarding copyright/trademark/etc so that we have a single |
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comprehensive license - I'll be aiming to post a draft on the -project |
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or -nfp lists in the next week or so for comment. |
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|
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So, speaking only for myself I think it is a good idea to support |
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local Gentoo efforts around the world, provided that these efforts |
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have some kind of association with and accountability to the project |
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as a whole. Things like links on the g.o website and official |
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recognition via use of the name/logo are easy things to provide. I'm |
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sure the Foundation could also consider funding for specific |
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activities if it made sense, although obviously we need to be careful |
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here (we already fund the occasional banner/DVDs/etc for conferences). |
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The existing name/logo policy already has provisions for community |
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initiatives that do not require any special permission from the |
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Trustees. There are some requirements like disclaimers/etc that a |
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site is not official for them to make use of them. |
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For a site to be considered official it would probably make sense to |
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have some kind of formal tie-in to the organization as a whole. That |
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might just be an identified lead (perhaps staff, perhaps not), and |
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maybe some kind of charter. To have official recognition a group |
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would need to be aligned to the mission of Gentoo and would need to |
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follow relevant laws/etc (handling of money, copyright, etc). |
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Again, all the above are just my random initial thoughts. I'm |
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certainly open to suggestions/proposals here, and I'm sure most |
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trustees would feel basically the same. We're a community distro, so |
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anything that strengthens the community is a plus as long as we stay |
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on the up-and-up. |
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|
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Also, in general if anybody has questions as to whether a particular |
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use of the Gentoo name/logo are acceptable they're always welcome to |
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submit a question to trustees@, or on -nfp, or file a bug/etc. The |
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Trustees can help those interested in promoting Gentoo stay compliant, |
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or provide exceptions where required. |
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|
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Rich |
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