I agree with Richard, but I'll add another comment. PTO judges are bound by the Code of Judicial Conduct, which requires independence, integrity and impartiality. Just because they're part of the Executive Branch doesn't mean they can be told what to do. As a lawyer, my professional code of conduct said I had a fiduciary duty to Red Hat and my boss couldn't tell me to do anything contrary to that. Of course, I could get fired for not doing what my boss said. :-)
You misunderstood my comment. I think of copyleft as using the law to accomplish the opposite of what it was designed for, a "hack" (and one that works). Here, the law worked exactly as designed, it provides a means to strike a mark from the register and that's what happened. You seem to be suggesting that I was using "hack" as a pejorative and I was not.
You misunderstood my comment. I think of copyleft as using the law to accomplish the opposite of what it was designed for, a "hack" (and one that works). Here, the law worked exactly as designed, it provides a means to strike a mark from the register and that's what happened. You seem to be suggesting that I was using "hack" as a pejorative and I was not.
Pam, I just don't agree with you about this issue of hacking the law. Trademark law was designed to put political pressure on a racist instutition; it was designed to avoid consumer confusion about names and brands.
Therefore, the use here is hack like copyleft.
As to your point about PTO "judges", you have a point, but Obama's still their boss. Yes, they can be fired, and as you know, I'm impressed by people who are willing to get fired rather than portray what they believe in. Both you and I have done it, though, so I suspect we're a bit biased.