The Slackware Linux Project: Slackware Trademark Policy (original) (raw)

Slackware Trademark Policy Slackware Logo

Slackware is a trademark of Patrick Volkerding.

Permission to use the Slackware trademark to refer to the Slackware distribution of Linux is hereby granted if the following conditions are met:

  1. In order to be called "Slackware", the distribution may not be altered from the way it appears on the central FTP site (ftp.slackware.com). This is to protect the integrity, reliability, and reputation of the Slackware distribution. (Note that moving entire directories like "source" or "contrib" to a second CD-ROM is allowable, but leaving them out and distributing a single source-free disc is not, as indicated below) Anyone wishing to distribute an altered version must have the changes approved by volkerdi@slackware.com (i.e. certified to be reasonably bug-free). If the changed distribution meets the required standards for quality, then written permission to use the Slackware trademark may be provided.

  2. All related source code must be included. (This is also required by the GNU General Public License)

  3. Except by written permission from Slackware Linux, Inc., the Slackware trademark may not be used as (or as part of) a product name, company name, or registered domain name.

  4. Any approved use of "Slackware" must be followed by a circle-R, and must acknowledge our ownership of the mark.

Note that you can still redistribute a distribution that doesn't meet these criteria, you just can't call it "Slackware". Personally, I hate restricting things in any way, but these restrictions are not designed to make life difficult for anyone. I just want to make sure that bugs are not added to commercial redistributions of Slackware. They have been in the past, and the resulting requests for help have flooded my mailbox! I'm just trying to make sure that I have some recourse when something like that happens.

Any questions about this policy should be directed to: Patrick Volkerding volkerdi@slackware.com

Slackware™ is a trademark of Patrick Volkerding.