An official trademark policy for CheapBytes-type RHL CDs?

[Sean Middleditch]

On Sun, 2003-08-17 at 12:18, Michael Schwendt wrote:
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> On Sun, 17 Aug 2003 07:27:03 -0700 (PDT), James J. Ramsey wrote:
> 
> > The problem is this. Say I'm a Red Hat user without
> > broadband or a CD-writer. I try to find a way to get
> > the latest Red Hat 10 CDs. Since Red Hat won't be
> > selling Red Hat 10 via retail, my *only* alternatives
> > will be to find a friend who can burn CDs or to get
> > the  CDs from CheapBytes, CheepLinux, etc. How am I
> > expected to know that Pink Tie 10, Blue Jacket 10,
> > etc., are just Red Hat 10 is disguise? Am I expected
> > to rely on the grapevine alone?
> 
> The product description on such sites usually contains a hint, such
> as an explanation that the distribution on the CDs is the one from
> "the leading Linux distributor from the U.S. with just the name
> changed to not violate trademark laws". Sometimes they even write
> explicitly something like "the content of these CDs is identical to
> the downloadable version of Red Hat Linux". Or the product is called
> "Green Shoe Linux 7.3 Valhalla" which is enough a hint for those who
> know.

Why not offer different support URL and numbers for the RHL project? 
I.e., any numbers/URLs/whatever in documentation (and thus that
CheapBytes or whoever would duplicate) direct to more informative
messages.

I.e., make the support phone number for RHL play a recording about "RHL
is a free product that does not include support.  To purchase and
receive support for a single incident, press 1 now.  To purchase a
support subscription, press 2 now.  To receive support on our commercial
Redhat Linux Enterprise series, press 3 now."  Or whatever.  Of course
Enterprise would have a separate number, so as not to confuse Enterprise
users calling in.

THe same goes for the website.  If the user brings up the Redhat Linux
support page, it could display a very informative message, not just "you
must buy support."  Something like,

"The Redhat Linux Project operating system is freely developed and
distributed.  No commercial support is offered with this system.  You
may (link)Purchase Support from Redhat, or contact the vendor of your
installation media for more support options."

Or whatever.  I'm not fluent in Friendly Marketing Speak.  ~,^

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-- 
Sean Middleditch <elanthis at awesomeplay.com>
AwesomePlay Productions, Inc.