‘Scrum User Group’ controversy
Unfortunately, a bit of controversy has stirred up about the trademark ‘Scrum User Group’ which as been registered (or attempted to be registered) by the Scrum Aliance.
They are trying to crack-down on it’s usage.
Recently the Orlando Scrum User Group has had to close up shop, due to infringing on the trademarked ‘Scrum User Group’ term, and certainly this is mostly a trend.
Bah. I can’t be bothered writing anything more on this. I am ashamed for the entire western world when I read about things like this. Ridiculous.
An interesting response to the emails:
Hi Ron,
Ron Jeffries wrote:
> A long time ago I had a conversation with Kent in which he said that
> he had considered whether “Extreme Programming” should be
> trademarked. He thought that the primary tradeoff was between
> controlling what XP means, and broad adoption of the ideas (however
> weakly). He chose the latter.
>
> Those of us who complain from time to time that the notions of XP,
> or Agile, or Scrum get watered down need to remember that story.
I have no problems with Trademarks /per se/. They are a necessary part
of business. And I have no problem with companies saying things like,
“Scrum is a trademark. If you are going to use it, please adhere to the
following guidelines”. That’s pretty normal – if you want to use our
logo, here’s how we ask you use it.
But the difference between that and asking groups who are the grassroots
passionate users of Scrum that “Scrum User Group” is a trademark, and to
use it you need to sign a document – that’s over the line to me. That’s
what I wish they did not do. Offer guidelines – absolutely. Trademark
something that’s been in use for many years, and then come in after the
fact and require a legal document to be signed to use it – not so much.
That’s why I mentioned the Certified Scrum User Group Leader – I’m not
trying to be an ass, but merely point out that if you want to have that
much control over the groups, then offer that. I just wish they didn’t
send out letters willy nilly to the very people trying their hardest to
promoted and help the adoption of Scrum, and indirectly other agile
practices and techniques.
–
Cory Foy