GNOME gets GroupedOn
GNOME gets GroupedOn
GroupOn, a sort of Internet sales discount coupon company has recently announced
a point-of-sale tablet called "Gnome". The GNOME Foundation, by virtue of
having used that name since the 1990's and having trademarked it in 2006,
objects strongly to what it sees
as a blatant infringement of its trademark. The organization is scrambling
to file its opposition to GroupOn's new trademark filings, but that takes
work — and money. So there is now a fund-raising effort in the works to
help make this opposition happen. "Help us raise the funds to fight
back and most of all call public attention to this terrible behavior by
Groupon. Help us make sure that when people hear about GNOME software they
learn about freedom and not proprietary software. Our counsel has advised
us that we will need $80,000 to oppose the registration of the first set of
10 applications. If we are able to defend the mark without spending this
amount, we will use the remaining funds to bolster and improve
GNOME.
"
Update: according to Engadget, GroupOn says it wants to work things out, all the way to picking a new product name if necessary.
Another update: The GNOME Foundation reports that Groupon will abandon its pending trademarks and proceed with a name change.