[Wikimedia-l] [Wikimedia Announcements] WMF Legal Blog Post: "WMF trademark practices for QR codes and wikitowns"

[James Alexander]

On Fri, Mar 8, 2013 at 5:46 PM, Liam Wyatt <liamwyatt at gmail.com> wrote:

> Thanks for posting a definitive answer on this topic - it is good to get
> clear instructions about this longstanding question, even if I don't
> personally agree with the outcome.
>
> However, I would like to take issue with part of this blogpost:
>
> "will continue to allow
> nominative<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nominative_use>,
> non-stylized use of the “Wikipedia” word mark"
>
> My instinctive reaction to reading this was to write something sarcastic,
> but I respect Geoff to much for that. So, I'll say it directly: Please do
> not say, either overtly or by implication, that the WMF gives its
> permission for the community to use the word "Wikipedia". Nobody needs to
> ask permission to write the name of an organisation or website so please
> don't say that you've been so kind as to give us permission to do so. The
> WMF does not "allow" us to use the word Wikipedia (or refuse it) anymore
> than Coca Cola "allows" or "refuses" me the right to use the word "coke" -
> especially when making truthful statements like "scanning this QRcode will
> take you to Wikipedia".
>
> -Liam
>
>
Hey Liam, you may be interested in Geoff's response on the blog about this
(
http://blog.wikimedia.org/2013/03/08/wmf-trademark-practices-for-qr-codes-and-wikitowns/#comments).

James


James Alexander
Manager, Merchandise
Wikimedia Foundation
(415) 839-6885 x6716 @jamesofur