dan@idis.UUCP (06/07/84)
Concerning the legality of suggesting that "unix" has a generic meaning: I am 99% sure that trademark laws protect the owner of a trademark only from "unfair competition" by other businesses that use the trademark in connection with their products to give the impression that these other products are the same as the products that are legally labelled with the trademark or that these other products are produced by the company that owns the trademark. As long as I don't market something under the name "unix", I can use the word "unix" in any way I like without violating trademark laws. For example, I believe there is no legal requirement that we footnote references to UNIX* is our netnews articles unless we have some commercial purpose in posting these articles. AT&T does have legal reason to direct its employees to footnote references to UNIX: this is necessary to protect its trademark. Other businesses that may be in competition with AT&T may also direct their employees to footnote their references to UNIX to make sure that AT&T has no grounds for bringing suit for unfair competition. I suggest we move this offshoot of the 3B*2 SYSTEM V discussion into net.legal where we may attract the attention of lawyers who are willing to comment on the matter. Dan Strick [decvax|mcnc]!idis!dan P.S. I am not a lawyer and I am not offering legal advice.