Re: [wg-review] 11. IDNH Vote now - all those in favor

[Robin Miller <robin@minervan.com>]

Roeland Meyer wrote:

> >
> > But what gives anybody the right to claim that they own the
> > characters of a language, it's syntax, and semantics?  How do
> > you own the bits and bytes
> > that travel through your network?  people pay for the service
> > of transmission, and you provide that... OK, but what about
> > the linguistic issue?  Is not
> > language Public Domain?
> 
> Sure, just the same way that any other fundimental component of
> communications are. However, when organized in a manner that it represents a
> specific idea, concept, or other intellectual property, it becomes the
> property of the one that did the formulation. It is their work-product, no
> one else's. Thus says, international copyright law. Also, that does not
> guarantee right of publication. The author can only publish, what they can
> afford to publish.

I am guaranteed the right to my language explicitly by the Grundgesetz (German
constitution).

When TM entities are asserting ownership to simple individual common words of
language, I do consider that a step toward violating that right above. 

The problem with domain names is that its actually desirable to have short
descriptive names. Generally consisting of one word or a few letters. Hence why
they are being trademarked. I've seen several disconcerting internet wars here
over the letter d, the number 1, and common words like webspace, kinder and
explorer. Even the name of a disease - fibromylagie. (fibromylagia in English)
And last but not least - the words sprache and language. (sprache means
language)

all the best, Robin
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