> On 17.01.12 21:31, Jack Coats wrote: >> IMHO, we need to keep references to EMC and EMC2 on the web site as >> 'historical artifacts', and also reference the NIST project that >> started the initial 'Enhanced Machine Controller' project and named >> it. Like in http://www.isd.mel.nist.gov/projects/rcslib/emc_links.html >> >> It will also allow links from around the internet and search engines >> to still logically link back to LinuxCNC in the future. >> >> I doubt EMC Corp would have issue with that, since it is for >> 'educational and historical' purposes. > > <IANAL> > It seems unimaginable that even under perverse American law, one > corporation can own all rights to every use of an abbreviation. > In most countries, it is sufficient for the activities of the separate > users to be significantly distinguishable for courts to dismiss a > litigant's claim to be the only one on the planet with the name "Bob".
You are right, they probably don't own the rights to every use. Still, in the matter of a lawsuit very seldom the truth is the one that matters. Unfortunately usually the amount of money you throw into the lawsuit tips the scales a bit more than simply beeing right. (better lawyers etc.) > If our current full name conflicted, then there would be grounds for > discussion, but coincidence of abbreviation (EMC) is no ground for > complaint. And both parties have adapted Albert's little equation, so > neither can claim originality or exclusivity there. Unfortunately the trademark laws don't completely agree with you ;) > That said, the board's decision is the board's to make, and it avoids > distractions other than whether or not to make any changes in the wiki. > If we place on the home page "LinuxCNC was historically known as EMC2", > then the job's done, innit? > </IANAL> I just want to point out that our "decision" wasn't reached without some considerable amount of thought and negotiation. We will probably have some form of the above stated on our webpage so that people looking for the Enhanced Machine Controller know they found the right place. > As always, genuine thanks for all the work done on our behalf. > > Erik > > -- > lawsuit, n.: > A machine which you go into as a pig and come out as a sausage. > - Ambrose Bierce That one is a keeper. Regards, Alex ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Keep Your Developer Skills Current with LearnDevNow! The most comprehensive online learning library for Microsoft developers is just $99.99! Visual Studio, SharePoint, SQL - plus HTML5, CSS3, MVC3, Metro Style Apps, more. Free future releases when you subscribe now! http://p.sf.net/sfu/learndevnow-d2d _______________________________________________ Emc-users mailing list [email protected] https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/emc-users
