Practical Trademark Law for FOSS Projects

Explore practical trademark law for Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) projects in this informative conference talk by Shane Curcuru from the Apache Software Foundation. Learn how to protect and improve your project's reputation, understand the differences between components and products, and discover the basics of trademark law in everyday terms. Gain actionable advice on presenting and treating trademarks within your community, and understand how corporations can prioritize business values before involving legal teams. Delve into topics such as nominative use, infringement, trademark registration classes, and the importance of trademark policies. Acquire valuable insights on respecting FOSS trademarks, avoiding court, and leveraging open source talent. By the end of this talk, you'll have a clear understanding of how trademarks work with open source software and be equipped with practical strategies to safeguard your project's brand.

Practical Trademark Law For FOSS Projects
Introduction
Open Source Runs The World
Components Vs. Products
Software Trademarks Are Easy
What Are Trademarks?
Don't Confuse Projects with Products
Trademarks Protect Consumers
Use In Commerce
But It's Open Source!
How Trademarks Work With Open Source Software
Trademark Use By Others
Nominative Use
Infringement
Everything Else
Trademark Registration Classes
Registration Prevents Many Problems
Duty To Police
Take Action
Trademark Policies
Respect FOSS Trademarks
Avoid Court
Open Source Talent
Final Lessons
FOSS Trademark Resources
Brand / Social Resources