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Posted on 18th September 2024 |
Show only this post Show all posts in this thread (Software). |
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The Register reports on new letter from "JavaScript luminaries and at least 2,500 other interested parties" requesting, again, that Oracle give up their trademark for JavaScript. Oracle acquired ownership of JavaScript with its takeover of Sun Microsystems in 2009; at the same time they gained ownership of MySQL and Java. Whilst Java has now largely been superseded by more modern and easier to use languages, both JavaScript and MySQL remain key technologies for web-sites; JavaScript is currently the most popular programming language in use. Java and MySQL are open source, but JavaScript is an open standard but not open source. Oracle's ownership of the JavaScript trademark would not be a problem were it not for the company's aggressive legal protection of the trademark. This interferes with further development of the language, and with support options for users. The letter points out that "Oracle does not make any product that relies upon the JavaScript trademark"; they do not make money from it. There is therefore no good reason to hold on to it, and they should let it go for the good of the software industry. | |