Python Software Foundation Reaches Settlement, Ends Trademark Dispute

[Posted March 18, 2013 by ris]

The Python Software Foundation has reached a settlement in its trademark dispute with PO Box Hosting Limited trading as Veber in Europe. "The issue centered around Veber's use of the Python name for their cloud hosting services and their application for a figurative trademark incorporating the word "Python". While the Foundation retains the trademark for Python within the United States, it did not have a filing within the European Union. According to the terms of the settlement, Veber has withdrawn its trademark filing and has agreed to support the Python Software Foundation's use of the term."

Python Software Foundation Reaches Settlement, Ends Trademark Dispute

Posted Mar 18, 2013 22:15 UTC (Mon) by wagerrard (guest, #87558) [Link] (2 responses)

The PSF should consider itself lucky to escape this, seeing that the entire kerfuffle resulted from its own negligence.

And, especially considering the abusive know-nothing attacks delivered by some so-called Python supporters. No one needs nasty children on their side.

Python Software Foundation Reaches Settlement, Ends Trademark Dispute

Posted Mar 19, 2013 12:14 UTC (Tue) by pboddie (guest, #50784) [Link]

How does any antisocial behaviour carried out by random people on the Internet have any relevance to this matter? What next? Arrest the union leaders campaigning against public sector spending cuts because a bunch of random delinquents went rioting and looting after people held protests?

If you aren't actually advocating convictions and judgements based on heightened suspicion and paranoia, I'd warn against such conjecture, especially in reference to particular cases: it is a fairly easy way to get yourself sued, as various parts of the British press will attest.

Python Software Foundation Reaches Settlement, Ends Trademark Dispute

Posted Mar 20, 2013 0:08 UTC (Wed) by gdt (subscriber, #6284) [Link]

So is the PSF negligent for not lodging an application in Australia? In New Zealand? In Fiji?

Also note that such an trademark application may not succeed. Python is a well-known programming language and the trademark registrar may determine that usage should not be controlled by any one entity, including the PSF. That's what happened when "Linux" was attempted to be trademarked in Australia by the local affiliate of the Linux Foundation. In which case was the expenditure unnecessary? Or, if your aim is to stop others from using that word in the software trademark class, is a rejection as good as a trademark?