Re: The safest pair of hands ...

On Thu, Nov 26, 1998 at 12:56:59 +0000, Dr. Rich Artym wrote:
> As they say, the only person who can safely be appointed to a position of
> power is the one who doesn't want that honour.

I understand this sentiment, but I don't agree with it in this case. As the
events of this year have shown, "Open Source" works well as a marketing tool
for free software, and does not, when properly managed (including, when
needed, defended) weaken the politics of free software.

(Also, to some extent, the fact that SPI has chosen to consult the free
software community in the trademark issue, is an argument for it not being
in the "game" for power's sake).

> Richard Stallman isn't interested in the label "Open Software" in the
> slightest (as he has made very clear), so the FSF would make a good,
> neutral custodian for the trademark on behalf of all those wishing to use
> it.

There's more to the trademark than use: there is also the issue of defending
the trademark. Would the FSF be willing to sue (and thus potentially commit
a lot of money) to defend a trademark it isn't interested in?
Also, when Open Source is held by the FSF, how would the definition of the
term be managed (it is to some degree desirable to be able to modify the
definition in the future, to clarify aspects unaddressed so far, and follow
the collective opinion of the free software community)?

Ray
--
Tevens ben ik van mening dat Nederland overdekt dient te worden.