Ronnie Whisler : Ubuntu/Canonical not helping "us" compute?

[newbie2]

http://lxer.com/module/newswire/view/99126/index.html
:rolleyes:

[DeadSuperHero]

I think that's a bit silly on Canonical's part. After all, if they're promoting Canonical's software, and doing it for free, then I don't really see any problem in it.

Besides, OurBuntu sounded like a clever name.
And on top of that, Ubuntu is a common African word, even if he's reffering to the Ubuntu trademark, that's a bit silly.
That's like Microsoft suing the WindowBlinds site.

[loell]

canonical is just being careful in giving permissions in using *buntu name, i presume that there are already tons of request like this,

why not just respect Canonical's decision? he can still proceed with his purpose using another domain name.

[jrusso2]

I hate to say it but Ubuntu has to defend their name of others could use it.

[23meg]

http://www.canonical.com/legal
http://www.ubuntu.com/aboutus/trademarkpolicy

[SunnyRabbiera]

Yeh it is a bit of a trademark issue, the owner of the site should have sent more conformation on the name and rather if it was permissible or not.

[MaximB]

I can understand both sides.
canonicals object the use of their trademarks in commercial websites.
If you take ubuntuforums for example it was permitted long before it became popular , there are other ubuntu specific forums like forum.ubuntu.ru , that use the ubuntu name and it is permitted as they don't make money profits out of ubuntu name.

In the cease of ourbuntu they do not compete with canonicals as they provide hardware and not support, actually they helping to promote ubuntu.
But you can say that they are doing money on the backs of canonicals.
There are dozens of sites that use the Linux trademark in their domain name to sell products :
http://www.thelinuxstore.ca/ >>> this site actually sells Ubuntu DVD's and books
http://www.linuxmagic.com/ >>> this site provides mail servers.
There are many more sites that use Trademarks for commercial use.

So this matter is complicated.

[az]

There are dozens of sites that use the Linux trademark in their domain name to sell products :
http://www.thelinuxstore.ca/ >>> this site actually sells Ubuntu DVD's and books
http://www.linuxmagic.com/ >>> this site provides mail servers.
There are many more sites that use Trademarks for commercial use.


There is not just one way to handle trademark. You can be permissive, as in the case of the "Linux" or "Debian" trademark, or you can be as restrictive as you want. It really depends on your goals.

The purpose of trademark is first and foremost to ensure that the consumer (user) is actually getting what they think they are getting. In the case of the linux trademark, it makes little difference to say something is "linux" or "linux-based", since the term is very broad. The same does not go for Ubuntu.

In the end, so long as my rights are not being taken away by someone who is trying to protect their trademark, I'm fine with it.

[blastus]

Ourbuntu.com's promotional partners includes the likes of 50 MILLION BULK EMAIL SUBMITTER and bulk email blasters:

- Uses 1 Click Technology
- Guaranteed Safe, Simple & Fresh Bulk Email
- Send 50 Million Bulk Email Ads Daily
- User Friendly
- 100% Deliverable ](*,)

[johndc]

It would be one thing if he were selling computer hardware as his main merchandise, and simply installing Ubuntu on it as a courtesy to the end user, but he's not.

The site name and his philosophy in general make it clear that he's selling an "Ubuntu Computer" and not a "Computer (that happens to have Ubuntu installed)". He's even ripping off the Ubuntu slogan, referring to his products as "PC's from Human Beings" (whatever that means). He is using the Ubuntu product as an obvious selling point -- in fact the ONLY unique selling point - though he has no permission to do so. Yes, I understand that in a way he's helping Ubuntu/Canonical promote their product, but in a much more direct way, he is using their product to promote his, without their consent.

By selling "Ubuntu" systems, he is implying that he is in some way affiliated with Ubuntu/Canonical when he's not. If he provides bad customer service, that will reflect badly on Canonical, if he accepts payment and doesn't deliver a product, the cheated customer will remember he was an "Ubuntu" merchant.

If you look at system76's website (http://system76.com/article_info.php?articles_id=22), you'll see they clearly identify themselves as an "Ubuntu Affiliate", which means they went through the proper channels. This is why, on their front page (http://system76.com/index.php/cPath/53_64), they can proudly proclaim: "Now Featuring Ubuntu 7.10 Gutsy Gibbon". There's a right way of doing things and a wrong way. Ronnie Whisler chose the wrong way, and that's it.

[ronniew]

I have read all the petition feedbacks and all the chatter on different forums and mailing lists.

And I was very appreciative of all of them.

But without Ubuntu getting back in touch with me all of you helped me come to the conclusion that for the most part all of you like the idea yet understand canonicals permissions.

I will be changing the domain name soon. Hopefully I can find one that is still flattering to my beloved Ubuntu but that doesn't infringe on any trademarks.

Yes a site like ourbuntu would eventually have to sell ads in order to maintain server/administrative costs so I understand Canonicals side of commercial site policy.

But as it stands for right now and a long time to come all ads displayed on the site are strictly promotion. (exchange and the like) Helping all of us get the word out as much as we can using the site.

I should be able to find a new domain name for ourbuntu.com and have it ready in a week or two.

Thanks again everyone for your feedback and support.

Sincerely,
Ronnie Whisler