I think the Geronimo folks are still actively using the OW2 Howl project so if you bring in another apache project called the same think I think it's going to cause confusion for their users.
Regards, Hiram FuseSource Web: http://fusesource.com/ On Wed, Feb 16, 2011 at 8:31 AM, Shane Curcuru <a...@shanecurcuru.org> wrote: > At first glance, I don't see a serious risk of conflict with the proposed > Apache Howl podling and the pre-existing OW2 HOWL project. > > First and most importantly, the two software products sound quite different. > I'm presuming this is correct, and that any relevant consumer using HOWL to > review their server's logs wouldn't be confused by the new release of Howl. > If there *is* a conflict with some other software product that *is* similar > in functionality to what Apache Howl would be, then it would be a problem. > > Separately, OW2's HOWL doesn't seem to be actively maintained, meaning it's > less likely anyone would confuse the two software products. Less > importantly is the point that they call it "HOWL", and we would presumably > call our future product "Apache Howl". > > Note that this does not mean there aren't potential trademark issues from > the legal perspective. Using many English words as a product name is likely > to be using someone's software trademark somewhere. But in terms of our > risk management, it's most important if the use is for a similar kind of > software, or something that would otherwise lead to consumer confusion. > Plus, a key way we differentiate Apache projects is by ensuring their > primary branding includes the word "Apache". 8-) > > If the IPMC or the potential podling have further trademark related > questions, please email the trademarks@ (privately archived) mailing list > for further advice. > > Personally, I don't see how "Howl" applies to big data projects, but, hey, > my opinion doesn't matter there, and I do like the sound of it. > > And thanks for thinking about the branding up front! > > - Shane Curcuru > VP, Brand Management, The Apache Software Foundation > http://www.apache.org/foundation/marks > > --------------------------------------------------------------------- > To unsubscribe, e-mail: general-unsubscr...@incubator.apache.org > For additional commands, e-mail: general-h...@incubator.apache.org > > --------------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe, e-mail: general-unsubscr...@incubator.apache.org For additional commands, e-mail: general-h...@incubator.apache.org
