[TriLUG] PSA: Groupon no longer trying to jack GNOME trademark

[Matthew Frazier]

Update: Groupon has decided to abandon their trademark registration for 
"Gnome." Thanks to everyone who complained. If you donated, I'm sure 
the GNOME Foundation appreciates the cash.

https://engineering.groupon.com/2014/misc/gnome-foundation-and-groupon-product-names/

Thanks,
Matthew Frazier

On Tue, Nov 11, 2014 at 12:20 AM, Matthew Frazier 
<leafstormrush at gmail.com> wrote:
> Hello, fellow TriLUGgers,
> 
> Groupon, a company that sells Internet coupons, is branching out into 
> mobile point of sale solutions. Unfortunately, they decided to name 
> their new system "Gnome," despite the fact that the name GNOME has 
> been used for a popular Free Software desktop environment for 17 
> years.
> 
> After Groupon filed trademark registrations for "Gnome," the GNOME 
> Foundation sent them a letter saying, "hey, we've been using the name 
> GNOME for 17 years, could you please pick another name?" But Groupon 
> said "buzz off," and filed MORE trademark registrations.
> 
> So, now the GNOME Foundation is trying to raise $80,000 to challenge 
> Groupon's trademark registrations. If you can spare the cash, it 
> would be a good idea to donate to GNOME -- besides all the great work 
> they've done for the Free Software community, defending GNOME's 
> trademark would set a solid precedent against any future companies 
> trying to rip names off from Free Software projects. If not, at least 
> complain loudly on social media so people know to avoid dealing with 
> Groupon.
> 
> Donate and get more info at http://www.gnome.org/groupon/
> 
> Thanks,
> Matthew Frazier