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From: Robert Nordier <rnordier@iafrica.com>
Message-Id: <199605121356.PAA07602@eac.iafrica.com>
Subject: Re: UNIX System
To: grog@lemis.de (Greg Lehey)
Date: Sun, 12 May 1996 15:56:28 +0200 (SAT)
Cc: questions@freebsd.org
In-Reply-To: <199605120922.LAA29502@allegro.lemis.de> from "Greg Lehey" at May 12, 96 11:22:21 am
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Greg Lehey wrote:
> 
> Hugh D. McVicker writes:
> >
> > Is Freebsd a UNIX operating system for PCs?
> 
> Yes and no.  FreeBSD is derived from UNIX, but as of a couple of years
> ago, the term "UNIX" is a trade mark, not a description of an
> operating system.  As a result, FreeBSD many not be called UNIX.  I'm
> still wondering, however, whether it may not be called "Berkeley
> UNIX".

Does 'Unix as trademark' really date back only a couple of years?

I have a series of P.J. Plauger articles (Computer Language, 1988-9)
in which he discusses protecting intellectual property.  He writes:

     If you play fast and loose with the UNIX name in any of your
     ads, you will get a letter from AT&T.  The letter will remind
     you that UNIX is a proprietary etc., etc., and suggest ways
     you should refer to it in the future so as not to introduce
     the least element of uncertainty in the minds of readers of
     your ads....  They have a copy of the letter in their files
     to prove they are assiduously defending their trademark.

Since Bill's articles were the only reason I ever bought 'Computer
Language' (after the defection of Stan Kelly-Bootle) anyway, I'd
hate to think he's been misleading me all this time. 8)

--
Robert Nordier