Trademark Policy
Although osCommerce Online Merchant is released under the GNU General Public License, we do enforce our trademark rights concerning the osCommerce name and logo. This means that, while you have considerable freedom to modify and redistribute osCommerce Online Merchant, there are restrictions placed on the usage of the osCommerce name and logo.
Redistributing or Offering Unmodified Versions of osCommerce Online Merchant
The osCommerce name and logo may be used if you are redistributing or offering unmodified versions of osCommerce Online Merchant as made available on the osCommerce support site (http://www.oscommerce.com).
This provision is intended to cover situations like distributing osCommerce on software/magazine CDs and hosting providers offering osCommerce as an e-commerce solution.
"Unmodified" means without any changes made whatsoever, which includes the integration of contributions not available as standard features.
Using the osCommerce Name
The usage of the osCommerce name must use the correct casing of the letters forming the name. "osCommerce" is being used correctly where "OsCommerce", "OSCommerce", and "OS Commerce" are incorrect.
The usage of the osCommerce name is not allowed to be used in conjunction with product names and service titles. If you wish to use osCommerce as part of your product or service name, permission from Harald Ponce de Leon must be granted in written form.
Using the osCommerce Logo
Usage of the osCommerce logo is allowed if no alterations have been made, such as additonal or removal of graphics or text, or changing the colours.
The logo may be scaled proportionally and may use a transparent background.
Linking to the osCommerce Support Site
The osCommerce support site must be linked or referenced to when using the osCommerce name or logo.
The address of the osCommerce support site is: http://www.oscommerce.com
Why Trademarks are Important
Trademarks are important because they help to prevent confusion in the marketplace by distinguishing one entity's products and services from the products and services of another.
For example, when a user sees the osCommerce mark on the osCommerce software, the user understands that osCommerce has either created or endorsed that product, and that the product is subject to the quality control standards of osCommerce for that product.
If anyone other than osCommerce were to use an osCommerce mark to promote a service, users could be misled into thinking that the unauthorized person's products or services were created or endorsed by osCommerce, or that those products or services met the quality control standards of osCommerce.
Trademarks and the GNU General Public License
The GNU General Public License (GPL) permits third parties to use and redistribute the underlying software under certain conditions. Such use and/or redistribution of osCommerce software products are welcomed by osCommerce, but should be distinguished from the use of the osCommerce marks.
The GPL does not provide any license or right to use an osCommerce mark in any form or media. Thus, although a GPL licensee may redistribute the underlying software, a GPL licensee may not use an osCommerce mark in doing so that does not conform to the osCommerce trademark policy without written permission of osCommerce.
By adhering to the osCommerce trademark policy, you help osCommerce to prevent confusion in the marketplace and to protect and enhance the value and integrity of its solutions and marks. osCommerce appreciates your cooperation in this effort.
