How to label a USB port (legal) - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / projects

author: metrologist
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 21, 2016, 07:41:23 pm
content: This is more related to legal matters of trademark an copyright regarding the USB-IF. How should a USB C port be labeled to properly identify it to the user and not violate the USB-IF trade/copyright claims?Buried deep in their site somewhere in a PDF, I found this statement:""USB Type-C™" and or "USB-C™" are not intended for use as a label, moniker, or icon on a product." and there is a link to logo guidelines.This is the offending (copy protected) document, bottom of page 3:http://www.usb.org/developers/usbtypec/USB_Type-C_Language_Product_and_Packaging_Guidelines_FINAL.pdfLogo guidelines:http://www.usb.org/developers/logo_license/USB-IF_TLA_Usage_Guidelines_011416.pdfTo comply with and use their logo, a company has to purchase an annual license agreement, which I cannot afford. I think also you must test and comply with the standard.We just want to label the USB port so users are not trying to stick in some other cable (like mini or micro USB) and get frustrated, but we also do not want to get in trouble with this authoritative consortium.

author: ataradov
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 21, 2016, 08:27:54 pm
content: Quote from: metrologist on June 21, 2016, 07:41:23 pmThere is a set of new logos, they look like batteries with different pictures and SS (for Super Speed).Quote from: metrologist on June 21, 2016, 07:41:23 pmThat's the point of having a standard.Quote from: metrologist on June 21, 2016, 07:41:23 pm"Compatible with USB-C(TM)" is a way to go.

author: Rerouter
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 21, 2016, 08:32:46 pm
content: Cheat. use an image such as this one from Wikipedia, as long as you attribute the artist somewhere your technically not breaking the rules as your using someones artwork, not someones trademark,https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:USB-Type-C.svg

author: metrologist
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 21, 2016, 08:52:48 pm
content: We can put the "compatible with USB-C™" in the user documentation. It's a small device otherwise and there is just enough room for a brief label (USB C), and whether that text was in graphic form does not seem to subvert the authority. Maybe we will just have to live with the USB trident or just "USB" and let the user figure it out.

author: ataradov
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 21, 2016, 08:57:32 pm
content: Quote from: metrologist on June 21, 2016, 08:52:48 pmYou can't use trident without licensing either.

author: metrologist
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 21, 2016, 09:03:53 pm
content: I could not find a claim to that logo. Only the high speed logos and a few others...Here is a highly reputable internet source:https://www.quora.com/Who-designed-the-USB-symbol-Whats-the-story-behind-the-individual-or-group-who-designed-it-and-the-design-process-they-pursued

author: ataradov
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 21, 2016, 09:07:01 pm
content: Quote from: metrologist on June 21, 2016, 09:03:53 pmYeah, I've got confused. I though USB Certified logo included trident. Apparently it is not, so it looks like trident is free for all.

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 21, 2016, 09:51:53 pm
content: Quote from: metrologist on June 21, 2016, 07:41:23 pmIf you're not paying the USB license fee then you can't call it USB or use the logo, it's as simple as that.http://www.usb.org/developers/logo_license/

author: NiHaoMike
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 21, 2016, 10:02:05 pm
content: How about just "type C"?

author: metrologist
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 21, 2016, 10:17:36 pm
content: Quote from: Fungus on June 21, 2016, 09:51:53 pmThat is not true. USB as a standalone reference is not subject to the license agreement.QuoteOnly the logos that are trademarked and certified are subject to action. "USB-C" and "USB Type-C" are clearly trademarked. "USB" is not. Also, "USB Type-A, Mini-B, Micro, etc." are not trademarked.I'm just concerned after this forum exposed me to the Patent Troll issue, that the same sort of thing could apply here.

author: metrologist
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 21, 2016, 10:21:31 pm
content: BTW, there seems to be a reason why the USB-IF has become so much more intimate with protecting reference to high speed, USB 3.0, and this new type c interface.I bet it will be the new industry, cross-platform standard interface on everything, and everyone will have to pay for it.

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 22, 2016, 06:44:02 am
content: Quote from: metrologist on June 21, 2016, 10:17:36 pmTrue, but to build a physical device you need to undergo compliance testing.

author: ataradov
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 22, 2016, 06:52:50 am
content: Quote from: Fungus on June 22, 2016, 06:44:02 amNot really. If you don't call it any trademarked names, then you can do whatever you like.There is no legal obligation to pay anyone any money simply because you used some random connector you found on DigiKey and peripheral that happened to be in the micro.The only legal recourse USB alliance has is trademark violation, so avoid use of their trademarks.

author: AKM
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: June 22, 2016, 09:53:24 am
content: Just write "You Ass Bee Tree"

author: Delta
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 22, 2016, 10:24:09 am
content: FFS really? Has it come to this?Can I trademark "50/60Hz" then sue anyone who has that written on their product?