Framasoft

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Framasoft’s trademarks

Code of conduct

At Framasoft, we don’t like (and don’t believe in) intellectual property.

But we live in a world that does, and need to protect ourselves and our work.

So we have registered some trademarks (PeerTube, Mobilizon, Framasoft…), and here is what we pledge.

1. We don’t plan to attack

Registering trademarks is a defensive move. It’s to protect our work both from people who might otherwise register the names we work hard to make known, and from those who would sully the names of the projects we are building with our values, political stances and passion.

2. Don’t Panic

We will only use trademark law in last resort. We are not trademark trolls looking forward to extorting money though legal violence. We just want to protect the reputation of names we are working hard to make known.

We really intend to settle any problem we might have with you by talking it out together. If you act in good faith, there’s no need to panic. We’re sure we will understand eachother and find an elegant solution.

3. Don’t fool people

If you say, or imply that you are us or that you are the “official one”, we will use trademark law against you. If we start getting messages of people who think your actions come from us, we will contact you to talk and find a way to make it clear that you are you, and we are us.

In our experience anyway, people are not fools, and honesty is a very powerful way to bond with them. We will use trademark law, in last resort and if needed, to protect this relationship of trust and honesty we have built with people.

4. Don’t be an asshole

Really, it’s that simple.

Being assholy includes things that are forbidden by French law (promoting Nazism and fascism, pedocriminality, endangering others, fake news…), especially discrimination (against sex, gender, race, religion, orientation, minorities… well, you know the drill…).

If you are using names of things we’ve worked hard for to be an asshole, we will use trademark law against you. If you try to push the limits, want to test, provoke and question society, well good for you, but we don’t have time for this: don’t use our trademarks. If you think there are too many rules, or that it’s too complicated not to be an asshole: don’t use our trademarks.

If you fear you might be an asshole without knowing it, by ignorance even though you try to keep yourself educated: you’ll be fine.

5. Let’s respect each other

If you’re not sure, come and talk with us. If we have a problem we’ll try to come and talk to you first.

If by using the names of our projects, your actions start to soak up our time and energy, if you’re giving us a bad name, we’ll definitely have a problem. To avoid that, just remember that there are people who worked hard to give the names you are using their honest reputation, and just respect that work.

If we find ourselves having to answer for your actions, we’ll need to talk.

When we talk together, if you’re trying to be a smart ass and negotiate every word, if you don’t want to hear and consider our position (be assured we always try to do the same with others), then we’ll probably settle our disagreement using trademark law.

But we don’t want to, so let’s find a way to understand each other.

Framasoft,
June 8, 2021.

FRAMASOFT’s Trademark Policy

This declaration complements the code of conduct. If you comply with the code of conduct, you will probably not have to check whether your actions conflict with this declaration. However, if you need to use one of our brands, we encourage you to read it attentively.

Introduction

FRAMASOFT is a non-profit organisation. FRAMASOFT owns and oversees the trademarks for the names and logos of FRAMASOFT as well as a other FRAMASOFT-related brands and softwares.

The softwares listed below are Free Software. Their source code are available to download, modify and redistribute under a Free Software license. However, the software license does not cover the use of trademarks. The proper use of FRAMASOFT trademarks is essential to inform users whether or not the software stand behind products or services.

Trademarks

FRAMASOFT owns the following trademarks in both word and logo form including brands, slogans, styles:

  • FRAMASOFT is a registered trademark in France under class 9, 16, 38, 41, 42 ; INPI number 4694656
  • FRAMASOFT is a registered trademark in Europe under class 9, 16, 25, 35, 38, 41, 42 ; EUIPO number 3575587
  • PEERTUBE is a registered trademark in France under class 9, 42 ; INPI number 4662501
  • PEERTUBE is a registered trademark in Europe under class 9, 42 ; EUIPO number 018265042
  • MOBILIZON is a registered trademark in France under class 9, 42, 45 ; INPI number 4662537
  • MOBILIZON is a registered trademark in Europe under class 9, 42 ; EUIPO number 018265551

Objectives

The objective of this trademark policy is to clarify proper usage of FRAMASOFT’s trademarks by third parties to prevent misuse that can confuse users about products and services from FRAMASOFT. At the same time, this policy encourages individuals, organisations and businesses to work with FRAMASOFT under the terms of this policy and the code of conduct.

When you shouldn’t use FRAMASOFT’s trademarks

Here are a few examples that conflict with the way we use our brands, and would lead us to use trademark law to regulate abuse. But quite apart from the legal issue, it’s also a question of common sense:

  • Use FRAMASOFT’s trademarks in a company or organisation name: seriously, do you want to impersonate us?
  • Use FRAMASOFT’s trademarks as name of a product or service: some companies would be delighted, but it’s really not a good idea because it would mean advertising on our behalf… and you wouldn’t want anyone to speak on your behalf, right?
  • Use FRAMASOFT’s trademarks in a domain name, with or without commercial purposes, including social media: a domain name is also a mark of identity, and if you use one of our brands as a domain name, you’re misleading users into thinking that the site or service belongs to Framasoft.

When you can use the FRAMASOFT’s trademarks without asking permission

But there are many cases where you can use our brands! And we even encourage such uses:

  • Communicating facts about FRAMASOFT and it’s projects without suggesting sponsorship or endorsement.
  • Advertising your product or service relating to FRAMASOFT and it’s projects in a way that is not misleading.
  • Describing that your software is based on a FRAMASOFT’s Software code or it is compatible with your product.
  • Displaying FRAMASOFT’s trademarks on your own website solely as a hyperlink to a FRAMASOFT’s website.

And of course, don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any doubts or need specific permission. Our contact details are at the end of this statement.

Finally, here are a few tips on how to use FRAMASOFT’s trademarks properly

  • Use FRAMASOFT’s trademarks exact as shown. Any scaling must retain the original proportions of the logo (see our branding style guide)
  • Use FRAMASOFT’s trademarks only as an adjective, never as a noun or verb. Example: Framasoft’s Peertube app.
  • Wherever appropriate, include a trademark attribution notice. It’s very simple, like this: “<Framasoft’s product> is a registered trademark of the European Union.”
  • Be careful not to suggest that any of our brands are affiliated with you or any of your products or services. Don’t forget that Framasoft is an independent organization.
  • Sometimes our brands are usurped or used for slogans or advertising purposes, suggesting that we endorse an action or service. We refer to the code of conduct: don’t be an asshole…

Contact

For any queries with respect to these guidelines, please send an email to https://contact.framasoft.org.

Framasoft,
9 december, 2023.