[arch-general] "Arch Linux GUI" legit project?
Hello, I just found the "Arch Linux GUI (ALG)" project * https://sourceforge.net/projects/arch-linux-gui/ * https://archlinuxgui.in/ That claims to install Arch Linux. Since the project gains more track now I wonder, is it allowed to use the Arch Linux trademarks in word and logo form?
Actually, as per the Trademark Policy[1], there should be no issue as the changes are "minimal and unsubstantial". Best regards, Vasi Vilvoiu [1] https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/DeveloperWiki:TrademarkPolicy On 11/2/21 12:57, Fabian Bornschein via arch-general wrote:
Hello,
I just found the "Arch Linux GUI (ALG)" project * https://sourceforge.net/projects/arch-linux-gui/ * https://archlinuxgui.in/
That claims to install Arch Linux. Since the project gains more track now I wonder, is it allowed to use the Arch Linux trademarks in word and logo form?
On Tue, Nov 02, 2021 at 01:17:27PM +0200, Vasi Vilvoiu via arch-general wrote:
Actually, as per the Trademark Policy[1], there should be no issue as the changes are "minimal and unsubstantial".
Providing your own ISO and repositories along with predefined configuration is not a "minimal" nor "unsubstantial" change to Arch Linux. It's a seperate distribution and I struggle to see how this would be allowed under the trademark, but that is just to the project leader to decide. -- Morten Linderud PGP: 9C02FF419FECBE16
"We recognise and encourage the concept of a "remix." Remixes are derived versions of Arch Linux, and it is intended that any software and hardware certifications will apply to a Remix. Therefore the changes from official Arch Linux products must be minimal to be permitted to use the Trademarks. These changes can include configuration changes through the existing Arch Linux configuration management tools, changes to artwork and graphical themes and some variance in package selection." They don't seem to be providing alternate repositories, just an installer. Best regards, Vasi Vilvoiu On 11/2/21 13:25, Morten Linderud via arch-general wrote:
On Tue, Nov 02, 2021 at 01:17:27PM +0200, Vasi Vilvoiu via arch-general wrote:
Actually, as per the Trademark Policy[1], there should be no issue as the changes are "minimal and unsubstantial".
Providing your own ISO and repositories along with predefined configuration is not a "minimal" nor "unsubstantial" change to Arch Linux.
It's a seperate distribution and I struggle to see how this would be allowed under the trademark, but that is just to the project leader to decide.
On Tue, Nov 02, 2021 at 01:31:20PM +0200, Vasi Vilvoiu via arch-general wrote:
"We recognise and encourage the concept of a "remix." Remixes are derived versions of Arch Linux, and it is intended that any software and hardware certifications will apply to a Remix. Therefore the changes from official Arch Linux products must be minimal to be permitted to use the Trademarks. These changes can include configuration changes through the existing Arch Linux configuration management tools, changes to artwork and graphical themes and some variance in package selection."
They don't seem to be providing alternate repositories, just an installer.
You are ignoring the following two points: "The Trademark is used in a way that makes it clear that your project is a development effort related to the Arch Linux source, but that the software you are working upon is not in fact Arch Linux as distributed by the Arch Linux project" "There is no suggestion (through words or appearance) that your project is approved, sponsored, or affiliated with Arch Linux or its related projects unless it has been approved by and is governed by the Arch Linux Project Lead." Where they fail at both accounts regardless if you want to argue about the semantics of what is and isn't a "substantial change". -- Morten Linderud PGP: 9C02FF419FECBE16
Still, that is very much subjective. Their first statement is "Welcome to Arch Linux GUI. A fast, offline & graphical installer for Vanilla Arch Linux!". For someone who's reasonably familiar with the distribution this makes it quite obvious that the project is not approved, endorsed or distributed by ArchLinux. To the best of my knowledge, while there have been a number of 3rd party installers, there has never been an official one. I will, however, agree that for someone new to the the distribution this may not be 100% clear, and it would be nice for the project maintainers to be more verbose in this respect. But then again, the demographic that wants to run Arch but lacks the know-how to follow the installation guide, yet somehow chooses to avoid Manjaro for some reason, should be quite small. However, seeing how you're on the security team, I can understand why distributing an ISO makes you uneasy :). I would personally not touch it with a 100 foot pole either. Best regards, Vasi Vilvoiu On 11/2/21 13:36, Morten Linderud via arch-general wrote:
On Tue, Nov 02, 2021 at 01:31:20PM +0200, Vasi Vilvoiu via arch-general wrote:
"We recognise and encourage the concept of a "remix." Remixes are derived versions of Arch Linux, and it is intended that any software and hardware certifications will apply to a Remix. Therefore the changes from official Arch Linux products must be minimal to be permitted to use the Trademarks. These changes can include configuration changes through the existing Arch Linux configuration management tools, changes to artwork and graphical themes and some variance in package selection."
They don't seem to be providing alternate repositories, just an installer.
You are ignoring the following two points:
"The Trademark is used in a way that makes it clear that your project is a development effort related to the Arch Linux source, but that the software you are working upon is not in fact Arch Linux as distributed by the Arch Linux project"
"There is no suggestion (through words or appearance) that your project is approved, sponsored, or affiliated with Arch Linux or its related projects unless it has been approved by and is governed by the Arch Linux Project Lead."
Where they fail at both accounts regardless if you want to argue about the semantics of what is and isn't a "substantial change".
I consider myself reasonable familiar with it, but the fact that it
does have the "Arch Linux" branding all over the place while knowing
the trademark policy (a bit) kicks me off. Thats why I was asking.
Am Di, 2. Nov 2021 um 13:58:46 +0200 schrieb Vasi Vilvoiu via
arch-general
For someone who's reasonably familiar with the distribution this makes it quite obvious that the project is not approved, endorsed or distributed by ArchLinux. To the best of my knowledge, while there have been a number of 3rd party installers, there has never been an official one.
On Tue, 2 Nov 2021 13:58:46 +0200, Vasi Vilvoiu via arch-general wrote:
I would personally not touch it with a 100 foot pole either.
Hi, in Germany "ALG" is the term/abbreviation for a very antisocial and highly controversial unemployment benefit :D. Germans unlikely will confuse "ALG" with "Arch Linux" ;). Regards, Ralf
participants (4)
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Fabian Bornschein
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Morten Linderud
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Ralf Mardorf
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Vasi Vilvoiu