Re: [libreplanet-discuss] GPL for physical object

[Julian Daich]

2017-10-04 22:47 GMT+02:00 John Sullivan <johns@fsf.org>:
> Julian Daich <julian.daich@freecomputerlabs.org> writes:
>
>> Hi,
>>
>> I am working on a medical device and plan to release it under the GPL,
>> most probably the AGPL. I know that is possible to have the design the
>> design under the GPL, but for the physical object the situation is
>> more complex. I think about make a trademark that will cover the
>> decorative features and releasing the trademark under the GPL. Should
>> be possible? Have somebody try that?
>>
>
> https://www.gnu.org/philosophy/free-hardware-designs.en.html may be of
> interest about the hardware and design questions.
>
> Not sure what trademark under the GPL would be like -- GPL is for
> copyrightable things.
>

My idea is define a trademark for a physical object( i.e. as Lego did
with their blocks or Coca Cola with their bottle) and license this
trademark using the GPL. Trademarks can only enforce decorative
characteristics of the physical object, so it will possible to choose
a design and materials to distinguish the libre object, enumerate some
functional characteristics to avoid confusions and use both to define
the source. The object will be the physical object itself.

Best,

Julian
> -john
>
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