Open Source Summit North America 2023

Many open source projects would love to have a large community of adoring users who publicize how great the technology is. But even well-intentioned users can do harm when using the project name and logos to promote the project or their own offering that leverages the technology. Taken too far in a wrong direction, such promotion can alienate other community members, confuse contributors, and possibly invalidate the trademark rights altogether. In this session, Daniel Scales will explore some best practices for downstream use of project trademarks—beyond simply obeying the law and the project’s own guidance (although that will be covered, too). The session will also explore how projects can help keep their downstream users on the right path.