Re: SPI Workshop at Debconf4

Benj. Mako Hill said on Tue, May 11, 2004 at 03:08:31AM +0200,:

> - Supporting Debian outside of the US: SPI is based in the United
> States and can only offer tax benefits to individuals donating
> there. How can Debian/SPI work with other organizations, existing
> or new, to give the same level of support outside of the US? What
> has worked in the past and how can it be expanded and improved?

Should/can the SPI have a branch/chapter/affiliates in other (non US)
countries is the ideal way of asking this question.

> - Trademark issues: There have been a number of issues raised in the
> last year with "abuse" of the Debian name (people incorrectly
> claiming to be related to the project) that SPI's policy of
> trademark enforcement has been able to halt. At the same time,
> enforcing a trademark introduces a level of risk to the
> organization that some people found alarming. Some others just
> oppose the idea of a trademark.

The Debian community has to decide whether the term `debian' has any
monetary (or non monetary) value for itself, that is, the community.

Trademark or no trademark, if we perceive it to have *any* kind of
value, and if we remain mute spectators to (mis) use by others, our
rights will be eroded.

Hence, the current policy of having two logos and allowing
unrestricted use of one, calling it the `unofficial logo' and imposing
conditions on use of the other, is a very wise idea.

> - Debian/SPI relationship: Some people, including the president of
> SPI, have suggested that a new "Debian Foundation" should replace
> or emerge from SPI. Other have argued that it's just a name change
> and can be accomplished within the current framework -- or that
> little needs to change at all.

I'm not a member of either ...

If SPI is not limited to supporting the creation and distribution of a
free operating systems, *and* if the other activities of this body
conflict with those objective, there is a conflict of interest, and we
require two organisations. If there is no such conflict, what is the
need for two bodies? Are there any administrative difficulties?

--

"Those willing to give up a little liberty for a little security
deserve neither security nor liberty"