Slashdot Mirror
Firefox To Be Renamed In Debian
Viraptor writes, "Debian is ready to change the name of Firefox in its distributions, beginning with Etch. They say it can be done within a week. The reasons stem from Mozilla's recent insistence on trademark fidelity and its preferences regarding Firefox patches. Debian doesn't want to accept the original trademarked fox & globe logo; they don't see it as really 'free' to use. On the other hand, Mozilla doesn't want Firefox distributed under that name if it lacks the logo. Mozilla also wants Debian patches to be submitted to them before distribution, and claims that's what others (Red Hat and Novell) are already doing. But some believe development and releases will slow down if distribution-specific patches have to be checked and accepted first. We will surely see more clashes between copyright claims and 'really free' distros such as Debian. Ubuntu is also asking similar questions." No word yet what the new name will be or what the logo will look like.
And, although I like Linux a great deal, that has not exactly worked out for the best with each distro having its own kernel. Do you think web designers would be happy to support several slightly different versions of Firefox?
Mozilla is becoming evil. Pretty soon they will turn into IE.. What is Mozilla doing??
Linux, because a PC is a terrible thing to waste.
Epiphany is a flaming turd.
God Fucking Damnit
I read the point made on osnews forum about the change. The claim is that since the Firefox logo is trademarked, it is not-free.
If this is really the case, then Debian needs to stop distributing *any* other trademarked bit of software.
Let me give you a really simple example which , if it were really about trademarks not being free, they would have to stop distributing.
The Linux kernel. See the bottom of www.kernel.org . Or the url http://www.kernel.org/legal.html
You see, if it was because trademarks aren't free, then they would have to stop distributing anything with a trademark, including the kernel. Since it is not about trademarks, but about a group that is looking for a way to get around a reasonable branding request, they are doing and saying dumb things.
Good job Debian. Good job. This really moves forward the concept of companies/organizations putting their stuff out as open source, only to be strong armed by the likes of Debian.
This is sad. For Debian, and anyone who follows in their mistaken footsteps.
As if we needed another bully on the street... great! [/sarcasm]
Debian is ancient and past the prime of it's life. I wish Mozilla would just deny them the inclusion of Firefox. Then Debian can close doors and slip into the history books as the "distro that was good in 2004, when the 2.4 kernel was at it's prime".
It's not like Mozilla's requirements are demanding in any way either.
Go ahead and -1 me. You can't handle the truth anyway.