But can I still use the word "pontificate"?

So the pope has "copyrighted" his name, image and symbols - including terms such as the word Pontiff; his official-ish title.  This is only sortof a copyright - its legally unenforceable pretty much anywhere in the world.

None-the-less, it makes one wonder if the terms clearly derived from "pontiff" are still usable, or do they fall under the pontifical "copyright".  They're especially concerned about the use of papal terms when people use those terms to imply papal "credibility and authority".

Which brings me around to the term "pontificate" - clearly derived from the term "pontiff", and used in a way as to imply someone is talking in a manner similar to the pope - you know, rambling on aimlessly about topics of which you have no knowledge...

So, can I say "the pope illustrated his usual ignorance when he pontificated about the dangers <sic> of condom use", or does that go against the papal copyright?