Remastering Ubuntu - Legal Issues!

I would like clarification on the legality of remastering and distributing Ubuntu whether renumeration is received or not!

I work at a specialist college for visually impaired adults and I have been experimenting with a version of Ubuntu optimised for the visually impaired. There is a thread in the Assistive Software and Accessibility section of the Ubuntu forums discussing the technical issues etc (Vibuntu). The primary motivation is provide a accessible open-source operating system customised to make it as accessible as possible for visually impaired learners. The main distribution does provide some accessibility features but requires a lot of tweaking way beyond the ability of most beginners.

Firstly I would like to know whether we are allowed as a college (or as an individual) to remaster and distibute Ubuntu, call it Vibuntu and leave in the Ubuntu logos etc. The remix only contains packages from the official Ubuntu repositories and contains no restricted packages or codecs etc. The only third party application included is remastersys which is used to remaster it in the first place. Is this legal? Do we have to remove the Ubuntu icons? Can we call it Vibuntu?

Secondly, although the primary aim is purely altruistic, if it is successful and becomes popular I can envisage the college wanting to provide training, sell user guides or possibly supply it on a CD or USB stick for a small charge to cover the costs of production. Does this change the legal position?

I could remove all the logos etc and call it Vinux etc, but I would rather leave in the Ubuntu logos and retain the Vibuntu name because the credit for this remaster really should largely belong to Ubuntu/Canonical and I often feel that people who remaster Ubuntu, remove the logos and call it something unrelated to Ubuntu are sort of taking credit for something they haven't done.

I do not want to start yet another debate about the ethics of distributing a remastered version version of a distro or the morality of making financial gains from doing so. I would really appreciate a response from someone who knows the answer to these questions. I would have contacted Canonical directly, but I could not see any obvious way to do this without filling in a commercial inquiry form.

I look forward to any informed responses.

Dr.Anthony Sales

It might be worth reading this: http://u-lite.org/?q=node/171

Ubuntulite were asked to remove Ubuntu-esque logos and change their name. Apparently, Ubuntu .... Remix is acceptable, but variations on ...buntu are not.

By remove logos, and changing names etc do they mean from websites etc or do they mean you have to strip all of the ubuntu logos and splash-screens etc from the remix? Or would it just be easier to change the name to Ubuntu VI remix? Sounds naff... Maybe I should just change to Vinux and strip everything out - but that is a lot of extra work for no functional benefits. How does one go about applying for official permission?

drbongo

Read Ubuntu's Trademark Policy

I don't know if that answers your question.

I wouldn't be surprised if canonical JUMPS at the idea it sounds like humanity to others in a BIG WAY I'ma watch this thread 4sure

There are a number of Ubuntu derivatives currently available as shown on this site here,

http://www.ubuntulinux.org/products/whatisubuntu/derivatives

The page provides a break down of Official, Recognised and Localised deriviatives.

There is also the Ubuntu Christian Edition, which while not mentioned on the derivative site, is listed in the forums as a 'third party project'.

http://www.ubuntuce.com/

http://ubuntuforums.org/forumdisplay.php?f=46

Note that the recognised derivatives and Ubuntu Christian Edition use either the Ubuntu name / graphics or a name / graphics that strongly identifies them with Ubuntu.

Clearly then there is a precedent for this and no doubt requirements / guidelines for doing so.

The Trademark Policy site menitioned above also provides an email address [EMAIL="trademarks@ubuntu.com"]trademarks@ubuntu.com[/EMAIL] perhaps this might be the be a good avenue for further query.

Apart from that there are a number of Ubuntu based distros that have their own 'unique' identities, Linux Mint being one that comes to mind.

http://www.linuxmint.com/index.php

Perhaps this type of approach could be more appropriate for you.

Whatever the case your proposed project definately has it's merits and I wish you well in your endevour.

Cheers.