Re: gnome-online-accounts: Permission to update the Google icon

[Ekaterina Gerasimova <kittykat3756 gmail com>]

On 15 September 2015 at 14:33, Debarshi Ray <rishi is lostca se> wrote:
> (Sending to board gnome org, since this slowly moving away from a
> usual freeze break request.)
>
> On Mon, Sep 14, 2015 at 02:21:40PM +0100, Ekaterina Gerasimova wrote:
> > On 14 September 2015 at 14:19, Debarshi Ray <rishi is lostca se> wrote:
> > > Hello everybody,
> > >
> > > Since Google recently changed their logo, Jimmac has created new icons
> > > to match it: https://bugzilla.gnome.org/show_bug.cgi?id=754142
> > >
> > > I would like to use these new icons in 3.18.
> >
> > Not an issue from the documentation side, but have you checked that
> > you're complying with all of Google's requirements?
>
> Jimmac created the icon, so maybe he took care to comply with the
> requirements? I don't know.

Jimmac, did you?

> Once upon a time the GNOME Foundation board (through Karen and the
> SFLC) used to help with things like this, but recently I have had a
> hard time evoking any response on matters like these. So, I have given
> up.

The board cannot answer if there is no ask.

> Anyway, I looked at the Google Brand Permissions [1]. It looks very
> restrictive on the surface and I am not sure what to make of it. eg., it
> says [2]:
> Q: "Google is sponsoring my event. Do I need permission to use the logo?"
> A: We typically do not approve the use of our logo for events we sponsor. If
> you're working with us on an event, please work with your Google contact to
> obtain permission for an exception to this policy.

Reading the guidelines, it looks like it's ok to use the trademark
because we're representing Google and are not modifying the logo.
(This is only something that Jacub can confirm, of course.) As far as
I can see, we do not even come close to any of their "don't"s.

> Given that I am used to seeing a big Google banner at GUADECs, I
> wonder if we have some arrangement regarding this. Maybe the only way
> forward is to file a formal request [3] and find out? I would be glad if
> the board could help out with this.

This is a completely different case as they pay for a service (i.e.
having their logo displayed) and it is quite explicit that they are
buying this.

> Thanks,
> Rishi
>
> [1] http://www.google.cz/permissions/
> [2] http://www.google.cz/permissions/faq.html
> [3] https://services.google.com/fb/forms/permissionsbranden/