Re: The naming question (Postgres vs PostgreSQL)

From: Chander Ganesan <chander(at)otg-nc(dot)com>
To: "Joshua D(dot) Drake" <jd(at)commandprompt(dot)com>
Cc: Derek Rodner <derek(dot)rodner(at)enterprisedb(dot)com>, Robert Bernier <robert(dot)bernier5(at)sympatico(dot)ca>, pgsql-advocacy(at)postgresql(dot)org
Subject: Re: The naming question (Postgres vs PostgreSQL)
Date: 2007-08-29 16:46:38
Message-ID: 46D5A2EE.8030207@otg-nc.com
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> Before anyone goes down this path too far it is very important that I
> disclose (as I have on multiple occasions before) that Command Prompt
> owns the name Postgres, Inc (and domains postgresinc.com/net/org).
>
>
I'm not sure what you mean by "Command Prompt owns the name Postgres,
Inc"...

A quick search of the USPTO shows no trademarks for postgres - or even
command prompt (it does show an abandoned trademark for "Mammoth" as in
Mammoth PostgreSQL). I'm not sure what you mean by "owns the name", but
I suspect if you do then it probably carries no interstate weight... I
couldn't find the name registered as a DBA in the state of Oregon
either, but I suspect the records search there isn't complete - since in
many states DBA names are done at a county - not a state - level.

As a side note - to the best of my knowledge - there's nothing that
prevents Command Prompt (or anyone) forming a company called
'PostgreSQL, Inc.' and doing business under that name... Likewise,
there's nothing that prevents EnterpriseDB from forming a company called
"Command Prompt, Inc" if they so desire...

Of course, I'm not a trademark lawyer, so I only speak with my (very
limited) knowledge of such things....and would love to be enlightened
with regard to such things if I'm wrong (which is very possible ;-) ) .

Owning the domain is AFAIK, a far cry from owning the name...

--
Chander Ganesan
The Open Technology Group
One Copley Parkway, Suite 210
Morrisville, NC 27560
Phone: 877-258-8987/919-463-0999
http://www.otg-nc.com

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