Linux Mark Institute

The Linux Mark Institute (LMI) is an organization which administers the "Linux" trademark on behalf of Linus Torvalds for computer software which includes the Linux kernel, computer hardware utilizing Linux-based software, and for services associated with the implementation and documentation of Linux-based products.

The "Linux" trademark is owned by Linus Torvalds in the U.S., Germany, the European Community, and Japan. In the U.S., the mark is registered (Serial Number: 74560867) [ [http://tarr.uspto.gov/servlet/tarr?regser=serial&entry=74560867 Latest Status Info ] ] for "Computer operating system software to facilitate computer use and operation." The assignment of the trademark to Torvalds occurred after an attorney, one William R. Della Croce, Jr, in 1996 began sending letters to various Linux distributors claiming to own the "Linux" trademark and demanding royalties. The distributors rapidly pooled resources, appealed against the original trademark assignment and had it reassigned to Linus Torvalds.

LMI originally charged a nominal sublicensing fee for use of the Linux name as part of trademarks, [cite news
author = Neil McAllister
title = Linus gets tough on Linux trademark
url = http://www.infoworld.com/article/05/09/05/36OPopenent_1.html
work = InfoWorld
date = 2005-09-05
accessdate = 2008-02-24] but later changed this in favor of offering a free, perpetual worldwide sublicense. [cite web
url = http://www.linuxmark.org
title = Linux Mark Institute
accessdate = 2008-02-24
quote = LMI has restructured its sublicensing program. Our new sublicense agreement is: Free — approved sublicense holders pay no fees; Perpetual — sublicense terminates only in breach of the agreement or when your organization ceases to use its mark; Worldwide — one sublicense covers your use of the mark anywhere in the world]

References

External links

* [http://www.linuxmark.org Official Website]