Gracious Professionalism(TM)???

[Garret]

Perhaps with the trademark, other events, competitions, activities and groups will be cautions about adopting Gracious Professionalism as part of their culture. It certainly prevents them from using the term in anything official without FIRST's express permission. I think this is what the original post was trying to get at.

That's a good point. I had not looked at it like that.

However a trademark protects the usage of term "Gracious Professionalism" in respect to labeling a product or service (specifically recognizing the originating organization) not the philosophy and actual actions/state of being of gracious professionalism (that would be a patent), meaning that other groups could still adopt a similar philosophy just under a different name. Just because it is a trademark there is no reason that other groups cannot adopt this philosophy. The only thing a trademark protects is the name itself in cases in which another organization claims the term as its own, it has nothing to do with usage of the term in day to day activities.

I do not think that there is anything wrong or ironic about them putting a trademark on Gracious Professionalism or Coopertition, all this is doing is adding legitimacy and protections to FIRST. I would hope that people would see the benefit and necessary protections that intellectual property rights bring in this case, I just do not like stretching in order to find irony in or find fault with something is truly a great thing.

[Mr. Van]

I can see that the rationale for the trademark is so that someone can't take Gracious Professionalism and make it part of a corporate publicity campaign or other such absurdity. That makes sense to me.

I suppose I'm still thinking that it would be wonderful if all robotics competitions - hey, why not all competitions in general - would recognize and promote Gracious Professionalism on the part of their competitors. Of course, they can, and many do, but they're all now trying to come up with their own name for the same idea.

In any case, I think we can all agree that the idea of Gracious Professionalism needs to spread. (I wish that Gracious Professionalism was the watchword of the day and a guiding principle in the boardrooms of corporations and the offices of politicians.) However we manage to do that - trademark or not - is a good thing.

-Mr. Van
Coach, Robodox

[Chris is me]

Just because the name is trademarked doesn't mandate that FIRST not share it - they just have to regulate it (they could sell rights to use it for $1, for example)

[Alan Anderson]

Originally Posted by Chris is me

Just because the name is trademarked doesn't mandate that FIRST not share it - they just have to regulate it (they could sell rights to use it for $1, for example)

FIRST definitely doesn't want to keep all such trademarked terms (and patented processes) to itself. Indeed, Dean Kamen occasionally jokes about suing organizations for non-infringement.

[JaneYoung]

Originally Posted by Mr. Van

In any case, I think we can all agree that the idea of Gracious Professionalism needs to spread. (I wish that Gracious Professionalism was the watchword of the day and a guiding principle in the boardrooms of corporations and the offices of politicians.) However we manage to do that - trademark or not - is a good thing.

Mr. Van's posts have been making me think today. Thinking is always a good thing. This one me helped remember a post from another wise mentor, Rich Olivera. I've been thinking about incentives and what they could be in a business, political, educational, or sports environment.

I've wandered away from the trademark discussion and into incentives for practicing Gracious Professionalism. Sorry about that.

Jane

[gblake]

Originally Posted by Mr. Van

...
I suppose I'm still thinking that it would be wonderful if all robotics competitions - hey, why not all competitions in general - would recognize and promote Gracious Professionalism on the part of their competitors. Of course, they can, and many do, but they're all now trying to come up with their own name for the same idea.
...

Mr. Van
Coach, Robodox

I suggest writing a letter or sending a message to a specific person at FIRST HQ (maybe the new Pres?) and asking if they want this to happen.

If the answer is "Yes", then start convincing those other programs to use (rather than reinvent) a good "wheel".

Let us know the result.

Blake