[LukeShu]

(IANAL) "Free software" I don't think would have ever been granted, but as hard as it is to imagine now: the phrase "open source" didn't always exist, and wasn't coined until 1998. There's a case to be made that the OSI should have pursued trademarking "Open Source" upon their founding in 1998 (I think there's also a pretty good case that trademarking it would have hurt their mission, as businesses might be afraid of using the term).

[samtuke]

I recall that they did try, but didn't succeed, because it was consided to be too generic. But can't find a reference for that :\

[LukeShu]

It seems you are correct https://opensource.org/pressreleases/certified-open-source.p...