--- Chitu Okoli cokoli@jmsb.concordia.ca wrote:
My point is that I find it hard to understand what the problem is if people begin to use "Wikipedia" to mean any generic wiki-based encyclopedia. I think Wikipedia is popular enough that people would always come back to "the real Wikipedia" eventually. I think that the Wikipedia name being used in this way *helps* it in the long run, not harms it. Of course, I might be totally missing something here that is obvious to everyone else, so I'd appreciate people's comments.
- Related to my previous point, I also think that
the (TM) superscript is *semantically* ugly, if not aesthetically so, because of the corporate image it gives--so very un-free like. And I don't think chasing down violations of the trademark helps Wikipedia's image. I don't think it's necessary, if the Foundation has a legal registration in its pocket to pull out when it might really become necessary.
If in fact we don't care if others are misusing our trademark, then absolutely we should not add any marking. But then we also should not complain (either here or to the "offender") when it is misused.
I'm not 100% certain, but as I recall, brands such as Kleenex, Coke, Q-Tips, etc. have very mixed feelings (at best) about the generic use of their trademarks. Why spend tons of money advertising your product when someone will just as easily buy an equivalent? When I go to pick up a box of Kleenex (read: facial tissue), I have no particular brand in mind, and will likely buy whatever fits my needs and is cheapest. Kleenex has become meaningless as a trademark.
The real danger I see with not protecting our trademark, even after it's registered, is the likelihood that another "wikipedia" will do something completely antithetical to our goals. Inevitably, some people will then write off "wikipedias" and we will suffer as a result. Not my idea of a good time.
If our problem is not wanting to "appear too corporate", then we should just give up protecting our trademark, and let whatever happen.
To actually defend our trademark, by registering it and by pursuing violators (however gently), and at the same time keep it off the Wikipedia pages is, to my mind, simple hypocrisy. A trademark should either receive protection, or it should not. If it should, then we should be open about doing it.
It also seems to me that trademarks are inherently different from copyrights. By protecting our trademark, we are not restraining information. Actually, we're preserving information and encouraging its distribution, by maintaining the real distinction between this project and others.
-Rich Holton
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