Re:Is "Open Source" a registered trademark? (Score 1)

Branding is the heart of the issue as Bruce alludes. Trying to blanket the "community" with an "our way or no way" solution won't work, as clearly pointed out by the "community". The best bet is for OSI to market themselves as an authority of community. Just like the "Real Seal" for dairy products. http://www.innovatewithdairy.com/NR/rdonlyres/62E4 9B3F-C58B-481B-A7C0-CBB82C78EC8D/0/DMI5550RealSeal _Jan11_v2.pdf The "Real Seam (R)" has a couple of things going for it that OSI doesn't. First, it is based on a Code of Federal Regulations standard and second its merits for use are 4 one sentence bullet points that are easily understood and not 10 paragraphs of legalese. Another branding example that is more recent and likely more relevant would be "organic". Just because its software doesn't mean that the branding issue is any different. A "community" organization will have a tough time regulating an industry without some sort of Federal guidelines, especially in a free and open community.