Legal concerns

[lovinglinux]

I'm developing a new Firefox extension that will allow, among other things, to select a text from a post in the Ubuntu forum site and save it with the proper formatting, so you can paste it later on any thread, from the context menu.

The thing is my extension icons are inspired by the Ubuntu forum theme (see images below). Is it legal to use the border and color scheme on my icons?

http://ubuntuforums.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=151969&stc=1&d=1270041085

http://ubuntuforums.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=151970&stc=1&d=1270041617

[Psumi]

I'm pretty sure some colors/etc. will be changed when the new logo is used.

[_h_]

You can't claim copyright on colors. ;)

[lovinglinux]

You can't claim copyright on colors. ;)

Yes, but the layout of the icons is pretty much the the same with a different content inside.

[Psumi]

You can't claim copyright on colors. ;)

Yes you can, a registered trademark. Usually when a specific order/shape of colors is presented though.

[lovinglinux]

Yes you can, a registered trademark. Usually when a specific order/shape of colors is presented though.

That's the point. I wanted to make the icons this way so the user can associate my extension quoting icons with the quote icon in the forum quotes. Although the extension will allow to quote posts from any threads, it will only provide proper formatting on Ubuntu forums.

For example, the quote below was pasted using my extension:


Go to System Settings and configure the GTK+ engine to QtCurve and apply.

Then rename the file .gtkrc-2.0-kde4 in your home directory to .gtkrc-2.0 then run the command below to copy the file to the root user:


sudo cp ~/.gtkrc-2.0 /root/.gtkrc-2.0

Reboot.

Source: Gnome apps look out of place (http://ubuntuforums.org/showpost.php?p=8107813)

Tags: kde integration qt gtk problem theme gtkrc (http://www.google.com/search?q=kde+integration+qt+gtk+problem+theme+gtkr c+site:ubuntuforums.org)

[wmcbrine]

I'm pretty sure some colors/etc. will be changed when the new logo is used.What "new logo"?

[lovinglinux]

What "new logo"?

The Ubuntu logos and color schemes will change with the release of Lucid Linx.

[Phrea]

https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Brand :)

[chappajar]

Yes you can, a registered trademark. Usually when a specific order/shape of colors is presented though.

Trademark and copyright are NOT the same, by any stretch of the imagination.
Also, you are allowed to 'violate' trademarking if you are not making money from the trademark.

[Psumi]

Also, you are allowed to 'violate' trademarking if you are not making money from the trademark.

Ah, yes; I forgot about that. Thank you for reminding me.

I'm being serious here, not sarcastic.

[lovinglinux]

Just to be safe, I decided to change the icons. I guess I won't have any problems with these. What do you think?

http://ubuntuforums.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=152023&stc=1&d=1270075686

[wojox]

Those are pretty sharp looking. :D

[lovinglinux]

Those are pretty sharp looking. :D

Thanks. I hope they are easy identifiable and meaningful.

[t0p]

If you were unsure whether using the colours and formats might be problematic, why didn't you ask the forum owner if it was okay? Why ask forum members in genral, who are nearly all not lawyers, and definitely not lawyers for the forums?

Incidentally, I have a patent pending that, if successful, will outlaw any use of the roman alphabet online without a letter specifically granting you permission. judging from the USPO's past form, my patent application will be approved and everyone posting on the internet in languages with roman script will receive cease-and-desist notices, and anyone making money from my alphabet will be taken to court for crippling damages.

Seeing that the OP didn't even have the common courtesy to ask my forgiveness, he can expect to be bankrupted in court tomorrow morning (April 1, 2010). I'm willing to forgive other violaters of my rights so long as they take their infringing material offline by 2am GMT. Those who refuse to obey my lawful commands will be visited by my bailliffs tomorrow. Buy a gun, or go and hide now. My attack lawyers can kill your hippy advisors with one hand tied behind their backs. Grrr!!!

[thatguruguy]

Also, you are allowed to 'violate' trademarking if you are not making money from the trademark.

huh?