[net.followup] A comment on "UNIX is a trademark of Bell, who . . . "

lsk@otuxa.UUCP (07/01/83)

Someone decided to be cute and put the following at the end of their article.

'UNIX is a trademark of Bell, who didn't want it until half the country was
running it'.

Aside from the fact that this is not the correct trademark, as UNIX is
a trademark of Bell Telephone Laboratories, it is also not correct.

In fact, the Bell system was sued for NOT distributing UNIX. Then, after
distribution was begun, suits were lodged because it WAS being distributed!!

Various legal entanglements prevented UNIX distribution in the early days,
and all these had to be sorted through.

On the other hand, this type of note is more acknowledgement then most
'netters' are willing to give; so maybe it is better than nothing.

padpowell@wateng.UUCP (PAD Powell[Admin]) (07/06/83)

My, My.  We seem to have hit a nerve in the Bell Organization.  The way
Ma Belle is being cut up these days,  I soon expect to see the following:

Unix * Trademark of Bell Labs, Research Division of MacDonalds Rest/
"We do it all for you"

Patrick ("Not ashamed to kick them when they can't take a joke") Powell

werner@ut-ngp.UUCP (07/17/83)

	... and what is this I hear now,
	a judge is considering taking away their name?

	no more "Ma Bell", becoming "UNCLE DING_DONG" ....