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From: "Tim Anderson" <tma@netspace.net.au>
To: <geronimo-dev@incubator.apache.org>
Subject: RE: Why I am opposed to retaining the name Geronimo,
 and whi I consider this VOTE to be biased.
Date: Mon, 22 Dec 2003 18:16:34 +1100
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In Australia, appropriation of Aboriginal symbolism
is considered offensive, and under mooted changes
to moral rights law [1], indigenous communities
would be able to sue for damages.

Moral rights law is limited to art, i.e., visual,
written, architecture, film and television. It does
not extend to cultural folklore or sentiment.
It is therefore possible to name a piece of software
Namatjira [2], but at the risk of invoking a backlash.

On the global scene, UNESCO has been running symposiums on
the copyright protection of folklore [3], which
could conceivably prevent appropriation of cultural
symbols in future.

-Tim

[1] Background on Australian moral rights legislation:
  http://www.abc.net.au/rn/talks/8.30/lawrpt/stories/s278801.htm
  http://www.abc.net.au/rn/arts/atoday/stories/s222198.htm
  http://www.abc.net.au/rn/arts/atoday/stories/s218612.htm

[2] http://www.naa.gov.au/Publications/fact_sheets/FS145.html

[3] http://www.unesco.org/culture/copyright/folklore/html_eng/index_en.shtml

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Greg Wilkins [mailto:gregw@mortbay.com]
> Sent: Monday, 22 December 2003 4:44 PM
> To: geronimo-dev@incubator.apache.org
> Subject: Re: Why I am opposed to retaining the name Geronimo, and whi I
> consider this VOTE to be biased.
>
>
>
>
> Tim Anderson wrote:
> > If this project can get written permission from Geronimo's descendents
> > or his custodians, then by all means use the name Geronimo.
> > If not, find another name.
>
> Tim,
>
> I don't think permission is needed to reuse a name.
>
> There a probably millions of people out there called Jesus.
> Babies are named all the time after famous people.
> I know cats called Albert Einstein.
> David Beckams first child was named after a bridge in new york
> I'm named after 3 popes and I'm not even catholic.
>
>
> cheers
>
>
>
>