I did not like the name Maxima, at the very beginning, for the reason
that it was
so non-descriptive and commonplace. It is not only a mathematical
notion [not really
descriptive of the mathematics of the program], and the Nissan car, but
lots of other things
including candy bars and condoms.
(Nor did I like the name "vaxima" which was given to the version I
brought up on a DEC VAX in 1979. )
The name DOE Macsyma seems to me to be appropriate, and something in use
not only by MIT but by the US government. but I am not a lawyer. If
each document dealing with
Maxima notes that it is an open-source program derived in part from the
Macsyma system,
then search on Macsyma will find relevant documents.
Stavros is right, I think, about being sued by a cardboard box. Who
needs it.
RJF