Since I believe it is of paramount importance to protect our name from being privatized by any individual, whether they are within USGW or without it, and since Linda Lewis has stated in private mail to the members of this board that she would not withdraw the application she filed with the US Patent and Trademark Office, attempting to privatize the term USGenWeb, I am introducing the following motion: The term USGenWeb is this project's identifying mark. It has been used by this project for about four and one half years. Furthermore the Bylaws reserve the term USGenWeb for the exclusive use of the The USGenWeb Project. Any website affiliated with The USGenWeb Project is using the name under a license and is the lessee of the name as long as they comply with the standards and guidelines of The USGenWeb Project. No individual member or subproject has the right to privatize, or claim ownership of, the name of The USGenWeb Project, or the exclusive term USGenWeb, without the express permission of the volunteers of this project. Therefore be it resolved that the Advisory Board of The USGenWeb Project immediately formulate a letter of protest, to be sent to the US Patent and Trademark Office, in regard to Linda Lewis filing to acquire the trademark/servicemark to the term USGenweb, as part of her filing, and thereby attempting to privatize the term USGenWeb. The letter should cite prior use and also state the fact that Ms. Lewis is using the name by permission only and was given no ownership rights to the name. The letter should also include, as signatories, the name and email address of every member of The USGenWeb Advisory Board. Ginger gingerh@shawneelink.com