FreeBSD trademark status

[Anthony Atkielski]

Here's the official status of the FreeBSD trademark, FYI:

==============
Typed Drawing

------------------------------------------------------------------
Word Mark: FREEBSD

Goods and Services:
  IC 009. US 021 023 026 036 038. G & S:
     CD ROMs featuring an archive of computer programs which may
     be accessed for use. FIRST USE: 19930831. FIRST USE IN
     COMMERCE: 19930831

Mark Drawing Code: (1) TYPED DRAWING

Serial Number: 74546171

Filing Date: July 6, 1994

Current Filing Basis: 1A

Original Filing Basis: 1A

Published for Opposition: November 21, 1995

Registration Number: 1955727
Registration Date: February 13, 1996

Owner (REGISTRANT): WALNUT CREEK CDROM, INCORPORATED CORPORATION CALIFORNIA 3623 SANFORD ST. CONCORD
(LAST LISTED OWNER): FREEBSD FOUNDATION, THE NON PROFIT COLORADO 7321 BROCKWAY DRIVE BOULDER COLORADO 80303
 
Assignment Recorded: ASSIGNMENT RECORDED
Type of Mark: TRADEMARK
Register: PRINCIPAL
Affidavit Text: SECT 15. SECT 8 (6-YR).
Live/Dead Indicator: LIVE

===============

Notice that the registered trademark covers only an "archive of computer
programs" on CD-ROM.  It says nothing about an operating system.  This
means that someone can still use the FreeBSD mark to designate an
operating system as a separate trademark.  I wonder why such a
restrictive scope was given to the original trademark.  Was FreeBSD
already a complete operating system in 1993?

Note also that trademarks must be actively defended, otherwise they pass
into the public domain, registration or not.

-- 
Anthony