[Okfn-fi] About names: OKFN vs. OK Finland/Suomi

Thu Jan 19 13:47:12 UTC 2012

Hi all,

I just talked today with Kat from OKFN about the use of the name "Open 
Knowledge Foundation". As you might know, the Finnish open knowledge 
community is not yet an official chapter of the OKFN (We are still in 
the incubation phase and can apply for the official status later). 
Therefore we should not use the name "Open Knowledge Foundation" (or the 
abbreviations (OFK/OFKN) in events or any other communication documents 
in a sense that would suggest that Open Knowledge Foundation is the 
official organiser.

Instead, we should use "Open Knowledge Suomi/Finland" or something like 
that. So I'm suggesting we leave out the "Foundation" until we are more 
official.

This is not a black and white issue, as our website and mailing lists 
are under the OKFN domain. Also, of course we can use the OKFN name when 
we collaborate with the OKFN in something. However, making some sort of 
divition between what the informal community/network of all Finns 
interested in open knowledge and the small but growing more official 
OKNF-FI organisation does makes sense.

As of yet, we haven't received any formal guidelines regarding this 
issue, but this would clarify issues and also decrease risks of creating 
any bad will. Kat (cc'd here) will hopefully tell us if there is or will 
be any formal guidelines.

Kind regards, Jussi

-- 
Jussi Nissilä
Programme Director, Society

The Finnish Institute | 35-36 Eagle Street | London WC1R 4AQ
+44 (0) 20 7404 3309

http://www.finnish-institute.org.uk