Tux the Penguin: Open Source Corporate Logo
'Anyone can employ Tux to promote a Linux-related product, and there are no licensing fees or any need to get official approval from someone to use the penguin.

'"When I saw the new IBM Linux advertising campaign, I wondered how much of their multi-million dollar budget went to licensing fees for the penguin," said a public relations representative who requested his name not be used. "I was amazed to find out that anyone with a Linux-related product or project has the right to use the penguin. "Normally, teams of always-angry lawyers fiercely protect logos. And when I discovered you could alter the penguin however you choose, I was flabbergasted. Logos are sacred, untouchable icons in corporate culture." But allowing people to add, alter and tinker with Tux has turned the portly penguin into a widely recognized logo, minus the usually high development costs that are invested into corporate design.

'"Tux is an excellent proof of concept of the whole rationale behind open source and free software development," said Marco Pastore, an open source programmer. "Release your creation to the community, let them do with it as they see fit, and you'll end up with something wonderful."'

What a giant scam 'intellectual property' is...

Tux the Penguin: Open Source Corporate Logo
'Anyone can employ Tux to promote a Linux-related product, and there are no licensing fees or any need to get official approval from someone to use the penguin.

'"When I saw the new IBM Linux advertising campaign, I wondered how much of their multi-million dollar budget went to licensing fees for the penguin," said a public relations representative who requested his name not be used. "I was amazed to find out that anyone with a Linux-related product or project has the right to use the penguin. "Normally, teams of always-angry lawyers fiercely protect logos. And when I discovered you could alter the penguin however you choose, I was flabbergasted. Logos are sacred, untouchable icons in corporate culture." But allowing people to add, alter and tinker with Tux has turned the portly penguin into a widely recognized logo, minus the usually high development costs that are invested into corporate design.

'"Tux is an excellent proof of concept of the whole rationale behind open source and free software development," said Marco Pastore, an open source programmer. "Release your creation to the community, let them do with it as they see fit, and you'll end up with something wonderful."'

What a giant scam 'intellectual property' is...