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Universities Dispute with Red Hat over 'Fedora'

Posted by michael on from the red-hat-hoist-by-own-fedora dept.

Carl Lagoze points out that a pre-existing software project is already using the Fedora name, dating back to 1998. They're unhappy with Red Hat's claim to the name, and have objected.

2 of 500 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Fedora = Stench by BJH · · Score: 0, Flamebait

    Perhaps they were thinking that they didn't give a shit about Portugal.

  2. This is like the Firebird database hijacking by HiThere · · Score: 1, Flamebait

    The Firebird DBMS has been running for years before the Mozilla group decided to claim the name. The only difference is that they didn't fight back...possibly because they couldn't afford the lawyers. This one may go to the courts...and I won't be on Red Hat's side.

    As to what I think of Mozilla for claim jumping the Firebird name... I think it a was gross, disreputable, and dishonorable act, and that any group that intentionally committed it is laying claim to those characteristics. (I know that they HAD to change names because they were threatened by Phoenix...but that's no real excuse for what they did. Phoenix was a very different product compared to Firebird. Firebird just couldn't threaten them with lawyers.)

    --

    I think we've pushed this "anyone can grow up to be president" thing too far.