At the moment, we have now adopted a brand new trademark coverage for the Zcash logos. You may learn the total coverage right here.
On this weblog submit, we spotlight a number of the necessary adjustments, and clarify why we imagine this new method helps and allows better decentralization of the Zcash ecosystem.
Background
For the previous 5 years, use of the Zcash logos was ruled by an settlement between the Zcash Basis (ZF) and the Electrical Coin Firm (ECC). Following ECC’s determination to terminate that settlement, ZF grew to become the only real steward of the logos. This offered a chance to evaluate and replace the trademark coverage to replicate the rising decentralization of the Zcash ecosystem.
Our overarching goal in making these adjustments is to permit members of the Zcash neighborhood to make use of the logos as broadly and permissively as doable for functions which are pure and well-intentioned within the context of a decentralized cryptocurrency, whereas nonetheless defending the logos (and thus, Zcash’s title, model and fame) from misuse by those that search to mislead, deceive or defraud.
Key Adjustments
At a excessive degree, the adjustments launched on this new trademark coverage are aimed toward making it:
- Shorter and less complicated: The obvious change is that the brand new trademark coverage is shorter and less complicated. The outdated coverage was tailored from the Mannequin Trademark Tips, that are meant for open supply software program tasks. By reviewing the coverage from the attitude of Zcash as a cryptocurrency, we have been capable of make it shorter, less complicated, and subsequently simpler to grasp.
- Extra permissive: The brand new coverage can be extra permissive. The outdated coverage was drafted in a manner that required that sure makes use of be explicitly licensed. Whereas we sought to make it so simple as doable to license the trademark, it nonetheless required paperwork, which discouraged some individuals and groups.
- Minimized in scope: The brand new coverage seeks to attenuate the scope of makes use of that have to be explicitly licensed. For instance, the outdated coverage permitted the usage of the Zcash logos on promotional items without spending a dime giveaways however not on the market. This meant that anybody who needed to make and promote Zcash-branded merchandise was required to acquire a license from ZF. The brand new coverage removes this restriction, which means that anybody can now make and promote Zcash-branded merchandise, like stickers, t-shirts or mugs.
Eliminating the Trademark’s Position in Zcash Governance
The trademark settlement created a governance position for the logos by stipulating that community upgrades have been topic to approval by each ECC and ZF. If both celebration objected to the activation of a community improve, the Zcash logos might not be utilized to both fork of the blockchain.
The ZF Board believes that it’s not applicable to make use of the Zcash logos on this manner.
Zcash is a decentralized cryptocurrency, outlined by a documented protocol, and applied as open supply software program (most notably zcashd and Zebra). The character of open supply software program signifies that anybody is free to repeat and modify that software program, together with making modifications to the way in which the Zcash protocol is applied. They might then invite others to run that software program. If this have been to happen with out broad consensus help throughout the Zcash neighborhood and ecosystem, it might lead to a contentious arduous fork.
Within the occasion of a persistent contentious arduous fork, to be able to stop consumer confusion, the Zcash Basis might use the Zcash logos to name for particular naming conventions at exchanges or different entities to obviously distinguish between the 2 tines of the fork. Nonetheless, the Zcash Basis will endeavor to not use the Zcash logos as a method of persuading the bigger public that one tine of the fork or the opposite is the canonical and solely reputable model of Zcash.
Conclusion
As Zcash and its ecosystem evolves and grow to be extra decentralized, the buildings which have constructed as much as help Zcash should additionally evolve. The Zcash Basis is dedicated to making sure that it adapts to higher serve the Zcash mission and neighborhood. That dedication contains supporting ongoing decentralization of the Zcash ecosystem, and this new trademark coverage is a crucial step in that route.
As all the time, we’re eager to listen to the neighborhood’s suggestions and solutions (each of which helped inform our decision-making on this coverage), so please have interaction on the Zcash Group boards.
