Discussion on Trademark Strategy
Attorney Yvonne Tingleaf from Schwabe Williamson and Wyatt, will brief the Board on the current status of OWASP trademarks, and answer questions from the Board. Schwabe were consulted, but have not reviewed or approved this revised strategy.
As part of the OWASP Board's oversight of OWASP Foundation's programs, Andrew van der Stock will outline costs to date, and outline a revised strategy. The current strategy is expensive, not really meeting its goals of bringing in protecting OWASP's good name and brand, covering costs or indeed bringing in new income. The current strategy has been difficult, counterproductive, and expensive to enforce. Corporate Members have shown little interest in taking up trademark licenses, despite being included in most tiers.
We need a new strategy, one that is simpler, one that is attractive to the corporate community, and one that earns income in its own right, rather than being a burden.
It is likely that no vote is needed for the revised strategy, as the 2020 Board approved a motion that the revised strategy actually implements.
Compliance Committee Briefing
Fiona Collins to present a public briefing to the Board. At this time, there are no confidential issues, so the report can be public.
WIA/DIA Committee Briefing
Zoe Braiterman and Loredana Mancini presented a briefing on the Committee to the Board, and discussed their goals and activities.
Discussion on Leaders as Members
The new association management system requires leaders to be members. There is spirited discussion within the Board and the community on how best to achieve this. Let's work out a workable approach to discuss with the Leaders at the Leader Town Halls. Please attend as many of these town halls as you can. We will be recording the sessions if you can't make one or more of them. The recordings will be available to the community afterwards.
There was general agreement to maintain the existing policy of granting Complimentary Membership to Leaders in good standing who request it. This is separate from the discussion on revising the pricing model for membership fees.
Joubin will be working with Andrew on the policy updates as needed for Leaders as Members, after the Leaders Town Halls.
Slack