Truecrypt devs don't like truecrypt-installer

[Kjell Braden]

Taken from a short private conversation with the Forum Admin on the truecrypt forums:

-- snip --
fnord wrote:
> In case you really need truecrypt 4.3a on debian based systems, consider using truecrypt-installer (for downloads see "Download project files" on the left column).

If you are the author of the package I strongly recommend that you remove it from the website. TrueCrypt is a registered trademark of the TrueCrypt Foundation and you need their permission to use it. Otherwise, it is trademark infringement, which can be prosecuted. Some people use the "TC" acronym to avoid infringing the TrueCrypt trademark.

http://www.truecrypt.org/legal/trademarks

Forum Admin
-- snip --

He asked me to report this to you.

[Jari Aalto (jari-aalto)]

The product in question, "Truecrypt installer for Debian", is non-commercial
and non-profit. It only offers a service (two small programs) and no actual
end products.

It is valid to use the word "Truecrypt" in "nominative fair use" (according
to US legistlation), where it is necessary to to identify product where the
service is related to. There are plenty of established examples like "Car
restoration for BMW, Aaudi and Mercedes Benz". In this case the service is
offered to help to build and install. The trademark law does not grant to
the owners of the trademark to acquire the exclusive ownership of word
"Truecrypt".

For further reading, see:
http://w2.eff.org/bloggers/lg/faq-ip.php (section "Trademark")
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nominative_use

[Jari Aalto (jari-aalto)]

The use of term "Truecrypt" (TM) is allowed according to trademerk laws in proper context, like here.

[Kjell Braden (afflux)]

Thanks for the clarification.

[Jari Aalto (jari-aalto)]

The utilities however are subjected to the trademark and should not use the term.
This has been taken cared of in the latest release (20080606) where the
package and program names start with tc-*

Thank you for bringing the issue forward.