From 0bcb89aaaf94f49b7eb2491c86d7577153114c58 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: 4gray Date: Sat, 2 May 2026 00:33:26 +0200 Subject: [PATCH] docs: add TRADEMARK.md clarifying name and logo are not MIT-licensed Adds a top-level TRADEMARK.md spelling out that the IPTVnator name and logo are unregistered trademarks reserved to the project, separate from the MIT-licensed source code, and documenting what forks may and may not do plus where to report misuse. README gets a short Trademark section pointing to the new file. Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 4.7 (1M context) Entire-Checkpoint: 3f453cc0085a --- README.md | 4 ++++ TRADEMARK.md | 42 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 2 files changed, 46 insertions(+) create mode 100644 TRADEMARK.md diff --git a/README.md b/README.md index 46165f01b..80efa7c39 100644 --- a/README.md +++ b/README.md @@ -276,6 +276,10 @@ $ pnpm run serve:frontend **IPTVnator doesn't provide any playlists or other digital content.** +## Trademark + +The name **"IPTVnator"** and the IPTVnator logo are unregistered trademarks of the project owner. The MIT license covers the source code only — it does **not** grant rights to the name or logo. Forks and redistributions (including app-store submissions) must use a different name and their own icon. See [TRADEMARK.md](./TRADEMARK.md) for details. + [![All Contributors](https://img.shields.io/badge/all_contributors-13-orange.svg?style=flat-square)](#contributors) diff --git a/TRADEMARK.md b/TRADEMARK.md new file mode 100644 index 000000000..0c326c012 --- /dev/null +++ b/TRADEMARK.md @@ -0,0 +1,42 @@ +# Trademark Notice + +**IPTVnator** (the name) and the IPTVnator logo / icon artwork are trademarks of the IPTVnator project owner ([4gray](https://github.com/4gray)). They are used as unregistered (common-law) trademarks to identify this project and its official builds. + +## What the MIT License Covers + +The [MIT License](./LICENSE.md) in this repository grants you broad rights to **use, copy, modify, and distribute the source code** of IPTVnator, including for commercial purposes. + +## What the MIT License Does **Not** Cover + +The MIT License grants rights to the **software**. It does **not** grant any rights to the project's branding. In particular, it does **not** grant you the right to: + +- Use the name **"IPTVnator"** (or any confusingly similar variant such as "IPTV-Nator", "IPTVNator", "IPTV Nator", etc.) as the name of your fork, redistribution, app-store listing, paid product, or service. +- Use the IPTVnator **logo, icon, or artwork** to identify your fork or any other product. +- Imply, suggest, or otherwise lead users to believe that your fork or product is the official IPTVnator, is endorsed by the IPTVnator project, or is affiliated with it in any way. + +This is consistent with how MIT-licensed projects such as Rust, Node.js, Mozilla, and Kubernetes treat their names and logos: the **code** is open, the **brand** is not. + +## What You **Can** Do With a Fork + +You are very welcome to fork and modify IPTVnator. When you redistribute it publicly (GitHub releases, app stores, paid SaaS, bundled hardware, etc.), please: + +1. **Choose your own name** for the fork. It must not be "IPTVnator" or a confusingly similar variant. +2. **Use your own logo / icon.** Do not reuse the IPTVnator logo, icon, or other artwork files from this repository as the identity of your fork. +3. **Keep the MIT copyright notice** as the license requires. +4. You may, factually, state that your project is "based on IPTVnator" or "a fork of IPTVnator" — this kind of nominative reference is fine and expected. + +## Reporting Misuse + +If you see a project, app store listing, or service that uses the IPTVnator name or logo in a way that violates this notice — especially on app stores where it can mislead users — please: + +- Open an issue on this repository, **or** +- Contact the project owner directly via the contact details on the [GitHub profile](https://github.com/4gray). + +Apple App Store and Google Play both provide first-party channels for trademark and copycat-app disputes: + +- Apple — [App Store Content Dispute](https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/appstorenotices/) +- Google — [Removing Content From Google (Trademark)](https://support.google.com/legal/answer/3110420) + +## Questions + +If you are unsure whether a planned use of the IPTVnator name or logo is acceptable, please **ask before shipping**. Opening an issue is the easiest way to get a fast answer.