Marc A. Pelletier (2013-03-19 17:32):
On 03/19/2013 11:35 AM, Daniel Schwen wrote:
Sorry, but this is alarmist hippie crap and typical "netizen-outrage".
I'm not sure I'd have put it in such strong words, but I agree that this is very much overblown and misguided.
It's important that any marks not be misused for "evil" purposes, and Trademark is the method to prevent it. That the foundation is willing to step up and handle the legalities is a /good/ thing.
Making sure nobody can use a mark for bad reasons *means* having to okay proposed uses. If you want something "everyone can use without asking for any reason", you'll get something everyone *will* use for reasons you wish they wouldn't -- and then have no way to stop them.
Not exactly. Somebody that takes some other people creation and claims it's his commits a crime (at least by Polish law). Also authorship formally cannot be transmitted by Polish law (only ownership can be transmitted). So even PD doesn't really mean - do whatever you like.
Back to the point - it would be fair to simply e-mail the author before trying to register the logo.
Regards, Nux.