Firefox and Debian

To:  The Debian Project and the Mozilla Corporation

We consider present disagreement over use of the name "Firefox" in Debian GNU/Linux to be highly damaging to Firefox, to Debian, and to the cause of Free Software in general. We urge you to reconsider your positions and reach an amicable agreement that allows Debian to continue to distribute Firefox under its true name, however hard that might be and however deeply entrenched your positions.

We understand that trademarks must be protected or lost.

We understand that the principles of Freedom are too important to compromise.

We understand the importance of the Firefox brand.

But we tell you this: you made the browser, but we made the brand. We, the users, downloaded Firefox in our millions, we bought the T-shirts, we sponsored the adverts, we enthused to our friends about this cool new browser, we installed it on the computers of our relations when they asked us for help. We made Firefox the global success it is today, and we will not stand by and let this dispute undo all of that.

By accident or design, the name "Firefox" is as perfect as a brand name can get. It unites two words charged with symbolism and emotion to give the name of possibly the most appealing animal on Earth, the Red Panda. This dispute can only damage that brand, and set back the cause of Free, high quality software, written by the people, for the people, in which we all believe.

We know this will not be easy. But goodwill and creativity will always find a way.

Sincerely,

The Undersigned

The Firefox and Debian Petition to The Debian Project and the Mozilla Corporation was created by and written by Peter Westlake (petition@random.uklinux.net).  This petition is hosted here at www.PetitionOnline.com as a public service. There is no endorsement of this petition, express or implied, by Artifice, Inc. or our sponsors. For technical support please use our simple Petition Help form.

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