Groupon vs. GNOME: open-source foundation launches trademark battle

Groupon launched an iPad-based checkout platform called Gnome in May 2014. However, the name Gnome already had a long history in the world of open-source software. The GNOME Project has been in use as a GNU/Linux and BSD desktop for 17 years and was registered as a trademark by The GNOME Foundation in 2006.


GNOME technology can also be found in TVs, tablets, phones and other consumer devices. Crucially, for the potential clash between the GNOME Foundation and Groupon, the SUSE Linux Enterprise Point of Service system is based on GNOME.


The GNOME Foundation has announced that it is setting up a legal fund to fight Groupon’s trademark applications. It claims it contacted Groupon requesting that it change the name of the iPad system and that the deals company refused and has filed further trademark claims.


The group says it will need $80,000 to file formal proceedings against 10 of the 28 trademark applications filed by Groupon and must do so by December 3 2014. It’s now soliciting donations via PayPal, Flattr and Bitcoin through its site.


We’ve contacted Groupon for a response and will update this post with its reply.


➤Help the GNOME Foundation defend the GNOME trademark against Groupon! [GNOME Foundation]






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