Arch Linux: Breaking changes for all users of `varnish`, which is renamed to `vinyl-cache`
11 points by Foxboron
11 points by Foxboron
There's more context in 20 years old and it is time to get serious(er), written last year.
TL;DR: The initial development of Varnish was sponsored by someone who hired Linpro (a company) to "handle the logistics", and phk to write the code. Linpro grew into Varnish Software, who, long story short, now insist they own the "Varnish Cache" name too. However,
I want to make it absolutely clear that this is 100% a mess of my [phk's] making: I should have insisted on a firm written agreement about the name sharing, but I did not. I will also state for the record, that there are no hard feelings between Varnish Software and the FOSS project. Varnish Software has always been, and still is, an important and valued contributor to the FOSS project, but sometimes even friends can make a mess of a situation.
Unfortunate. I think Varnish is a very recognizable name, it's a bit sad that they've lost it.
I will also state for the record, that there are no hard feelings between Varnish Software and the FOSS project.
I would definitely have hard feelings in such a situation. Steal my name, and then threaten legal action? That's psychopathic behavior.
(added)
From the "20 years" article:
We have tried to negotiatiate with Varnish Software for many months about this issue, but their IP-Lawyers still insist that Varnish Software owns the Varnish Cache name,
As someone who's hired lawyers, that's a cop-out by Varnish Software. Lawyers give the client advice. But the client tells the lawyers what to do. The client in this case (Varnish Software) could be friendly && let the software project continue to use the "Varnish" name. But they don't. Instead, they're hiding behind the lawyers.
Indeed, the fact they “own the name” is exactly why they can do whatever they want with it, including licensing it under whatever terms they want.
The new name, for better or for worse, sounds way less like kasha varnishkes.