OPENCORE

What this record means

The record shows that the mark OPENCORE was registered on the Principal Register to Altera Corporation but was cancelled on Jan 5 2008 because the registrant failed to file an acceptable Section 8 declaration, so the registration is now dead. The only goods listed are “software used in programming configurable logic integrated circuits and programmable logic integrated circuits” in International Class 009, with a first use date of May 20 1996. A similar name used for software that programs or configures logic chips would be the closest area of concern, because the record’s protection is limited to that specific technical field. The record does not give Altera control over every use of the word “OPENCORE” in other contexts or industries. No prosecution history entries are present, and the latest meaningful event is the cancellation notice in 2008; no further maintenance or renewal dates are supplied. The supplied history shows no oppositions, cancellations, or court actions, so there are no visible enforcement signals. I'd treat this as a meaningful concern if you plan software for programmable logic devices, but the risk is far lower for unrelated products.