[Sheflug] THIS AFFECTS THE FUTURE OF SMOOTHWALL - PLEASE ACT

[Richard Ibbotson <nospam [at] sheflug.co.uk>]

Dear All

This one seems to be doing the rounds of various lists just now.  So, if you 
don't mind I thought I'd forward it to all of you...............



Forwarded message:
List-Subscribe: <mailto:users-subscribe [at] lists.smoothwall.org>
From: Richard Morrell <nospam [at] smoothwall.org>
Reply-To: richard [at] smoothwall.org
To: users [at] lists.smoothwall.org
Date: Tue, 24 Jul 2001 15:55:05 +0100
Subject: [users] THIS AFFECTS THE FUTURE OF SMOOTHWALL - PLEASE ACT


> This one is important. As you are aware without our permission our
> employer Caveonet tried to apply for the patent / trademark for the
> use of the word and logo for SmoothWall. We are currently fighting
> bureaucracy to have the trademark application shelved.
>
> Not only have Caveonet not asked our permission as authors and the
> people who created SmoothWall but also it would have prevented any
> Linux consultants out in the field from reselling solutions based
> around GPL using the word SmoothWall and also if we'd left their
> employ we wouldn't have been able to use the trademark.
>
> Considering we started SmoothWall in July 2000 eight months before
> we joined Scorpio (which became Caveonet) and we already had
> thousands of users and a brand awareness that now looks to be
> "scuppered" just slightly by this application.
>
> The whole thing could and should have been avoided.
>
> HOW CAN YOU HELP ?
> -----------------
>
> Ok, the UK Patent office searched the web and couldn't find
> anything to do with SmoothWall on the web (ho hum... how hard were
> they looking lol). To oppose the trademark application before it
> gets to trademark journal stage we need to get support in writing
> in the most basic and archaic fashion.
>
> If you want to see SmoothWall continue free and unfettered by a
> trademark application that was nothing to do with the people who
> invented and who work and who put their efforts into SmoothWall you
> need to help us.
>
> We are asking you to politely write to the following address:
>
> The Patent Office
> Trade Marks Registry
> Cardiff Road
> Newport
> South Wales NP10 8QQ
> United Kingdom
>
> You need to quote trademark office ref: 2274009/TM Inter 2/RWOOD
> and the following Application 2274009 in classes 09,16,38,42
>
> Across the top of your letter you need to write in bold text
> OBSERVATION
>
> In your letter clearly indicate why Caveonet should not be granted
> the trademark for SmoothWall and point the officer to the website
> and then any observation you wish to make politely and firmly.
>
> We really need as much support as we can to get through a necessary
> hurdle.
>
> We need your support
>
> Please make sure you realize the importance of the cost of a stamp,
> this is the future of SmoothWall and you as users have a
> responsibility to help us. George Greve of Free Software Foundation
> Europe and figures within the Linux OpenSource community are also
> backing us and we are armed with press interviews, reviews and all
> the original artwork we designed and the e mails that we
> communicated with 9 months prior to the inception of Caveonet.
>
> This is vital you act. Take fifteen minutes out of your day to help
> us.
>
> Please act now
>
> Richard Morrell, Lawrence Manning, SmoothWall GPL



-- 
Richard
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