[FFmpeg-devel] [RFC] infrastructure documentation

[compn]

On Tue, 19 Nov 2024 18:16:45 +0200
Rémi Denis-Courmont <remi at remlab.net> wrote:

> Le tiistaina 19. marraskuuta 2024, 5.18.52 EET compn a écrit :
> > Since no one mentioned it this time around, i'll repeat what was
> > said in the past. "ffmpeg" the name/trademark is not future proof.
> > you cant just call yourself FFapple, FFmicrosoft, FFsony,
> > FFcocacola, ffDVD, ffbluray, ffkodi, ffVLC. legally speaking. IMO,
> > IANAL, but i've seen enough trademark cease and desists and
> > settlement lawsuits to reliably make a guess who would win.  
> 
> And that's yet another straw man.

i am just explaining trademark law, and the vulnerable position of
using the name "ffmpeg" .


> At the last two VDDs (and probably on other occasions), some people
> took issue with the fact that Fabrice held the trademark (in France,
> at least) and the domain name and not using those properties how they
> think he should. Specifically, my understanding is that they want him
> to either hand over control (of the DNS) to a different entity that
> is not solely consisting of Michael, or hand over the ownership of
> the registered trademark and domain name to such an entity.

i dont have any opinion about such an idea. its not my goal who
hosts ffmpeg, who admins ffmpeg, who holds the dns records, who has
access to the domain registrar. some people act like i'm trying to stop
any of this, i'm really not. will i challenge and question developers
who want to admin? yes. its a democracy , i'll ask the candidate some
questions. 

its why i abstained from voting on anything in the meeting. i really am
happy to work in ffmpeg no matter where it is or what gitlab rust ruby
on rails whatever runs in the background. i dont care if ffmpeg uses
cvs, svn, git or whatever is next. i'll move to the next software too.

if you see me asking questions about the proposed handing over, its
because i didnt understand. thats why i ask questions like "what is the
goal?". what does the ffmpeg infra look at the end of the proposed
changes. thats my question. and no one answered it yet.

i thought there would be a proposal to vote on , but i dont see one.

michael was also asking what the issues were
( https://ffmpeg.org/pipermail/ffmpeg-devel/2024-November/336189.html ),
so he could address/fix them. and no one responded to his mail either.
 which is also why i asked. i'm trying to clarify it for everyone. here
 . on the mailing list.

thats what this whole RFC thread is about on ffmpeg-devel. 

> > if you are looking to future proof the name of the project, pick
> > something else. preferably without containing a trademarked name.  
> 
> How do you get the rest of the world to move over from FFmpeg to the
> new name?
> 
> Even getting the silent majority of FFmpeg developers would be
> difficult, and that's just the tip of the proverbial iceberg.
> 
> > and
> > thats why , again just my opinion, worrying about fabrice owning the
> > domain name is not worth worrying about. we've just been lucky being
> > ignored for 24 some odd years.  
> 
> Who is worrying about that per se? How can you even misinterpret what
> was said during the meeting like that in good faith?

one of the questions in the meeting document was "who owns ffmpeg.org?".
i was commenting on that written question specifically, in that one
document. if no one is worrying, then good.

if people think i'm misinterpreting what was discussed at the meeting
then i wont talk about the meeting anymore. its fine with me.

thanks
-compn