[indiana-discuss] Re: [indiana=discuss] Name of Distro?

[Stephen Lau]

Doug Scott wrote:
> Shawn Walker wrote:
>> On 20/06/07, Simon Phipps <webmink at sun.com> wrote:
>>>
>>> On Jun 21, 2007, at 02:24, Shawn Walker wrote:
>>> > I just think that a project that is supposedly by the community
>>> > (Indiana) should have to follow the same rules as the rest of the
>>> > community.
>>>
>>> I agree with that. But how about if those rules changed? There are a
>>> few boundaries imposed by US and other trademark law, but it's
>>> plausible that we could ask Sun to change the rules.
>>
>> That's my main sticking point with it at the moment. If Indiana is a
>> community project, it should follow the same rules the rest of the
>> community has to follow.
>>
> Shawn,
>   playing by the rules,  Sun own the right by law to call anything they 
> want as Solaris or OpenSolaris. No other entity has this right, thus 
> they can not use the name. Let just get on with life, and produce code!

Which means Sun is making a unilateral decision that adversely affects 
the community, which makes Sun a poor community member.  Putting on my 
Sun employee hat, I don't like that.  Putting on my OpenSolaris core 
contributor hat, I don't like that.  And putting on my OGB hat, I like 
that even less.

I'm opposed to any action that makes Sun look like a prick who doesn't 
care about the community.  It reflects poorly on me, regardless of what 
hat I'm wearing.

>> If we can change those rules such that all projects can do the same
>> thing, then great!
> 
> It is up to Sun what they want to do with 'their' trademarks. The rule 
> is in their favour. Currently I do not see anybody from other 
> OpenSolaris  distribution complaining about the issue. Let just move on, 
> life is short and talk is too cheap!

Sure, Sun can do it - but should they?  Nobody is arguing about whether 
or not they can... but whether or not they should.

It's within your rights (whether constitutional, human, whatever) to do 
many things - but it doesn't mean you should because it reflects on who 
you are.  It's no different for Sun at the corporate level.

cheers,
steve
-- 
stephen lau // stevel at sun.com | 650.786.0845 | http://whacked.net
opensolaris // solaris kernel development