[openhealth] Re: [FOSS_health] Re: [Hardhats] Re: X-links for VOE interfacing

[Fred Trotter]

WorldVistA EHR is using the CCHIT certification in a similar fashion
that many FOSS companies use trademarks. For instance CentOS can use
the GPL codebase of RHEL, but they cannot call it RHEL or otherwise
use the term "Red Hat" in marketing. In a similar fashion, WorldVistA
EHR can be forked and used to create another product, but that new
product cannot be called "WorldVistA EHR" or refer to the CCHIT
certified status of the WorldVistA EHR in marketing. This is a
completely legitimate from a software freedom perspective. Everyone
can have access to the code in a fashions that respect the four
freedoms. Those who wish to pay WorldVistA for the privilege, and
abide by the software maintenance policy, can use both the name and
advertise CCHIT certification.

I wish it were going faster but this is very important to get right.
WorldVistA is moving into uncharted waters!  I can think of no other
FOSS industry with these kinds of complex issues.

-FT

On 8/22/07, Joseph Dal Molin <dalmolin at e-cology.ca> wrote:
> WorldVistA EHR  would lose its certified status if someone continued to
> use the WorldVistA EHR name for the forked code. The agreement helps
> prevent unintentional forking and gives WorldVistA a better vehicle for
> managing change and the brand name. The certification agreement template
> is a public document available on the CCHIT site, for anyone interested
> in the details.
>
> Joseph
>
-- 
Fred Trotter
http://www.fredtrotter.com