Subject:	Must disallow forking at all costs
	Date:	2006-08-21 07:55:43
	From:	tjpalmer
Response to: Must disallow forking at all costs
Of course Sun is allowed to take whatever measures they see fit to protect the Java trademark. As for forking, if it's open source, they have to allow forking to some extent. Ability to fork is just about the fundamental feature (not defect) of open source software. Ability to fork is a good thing. And the other good thing is that it seems Sun is getting a clue that people like compatibility. There's enough momementum and interest (and an established code base) to keep people on the same page for Java compatibility. Don't worry. Be happy. Not to say Sun doesn't have to worry. That's what they hire lawyers for. But they have a lot more to gain than lose out of making Java open source. If they play their cards right.