[net.legal] UNIX is a Footnote of Bell Labs

ntt@dciem.UUCP (Mark Brader) (03/13/84)

Footnote seen in net.unix-wizards:
	The "unix" in "net.unix-wizards" is a down-cased variant of "UNIX"
	(please note: all UPPER CASE), which is a Bell Labs trademark.

Question:
	Is case significant in trademarks?  If so, did Bell Labs do the obvious
	thing of trademarking* Unix (and unix (and ...?)) as well?

*Actually, UNIX is a trade/service mark these days, isn't it?

Mark Brader

dave@utcsrgv.UUCP (Dave Sherman) (03/14/84)

I don't know anything about U.S. trademark law, but I cannot
believe that case makes the slightest difference to a registered
trademark. The object of trademark legislation is to prevent one
product from "passing off" as another; and quite clearly, a computer
operating system called "unix" is indistinguishable to the public at
large from a computer operating system called "UNIX".

Dave Sherman
Toronto
-- 
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