> On Thu, Mar 3, 2011 at 12:34 PM, David C. Rankin
> <drankinatty@...> wrote:
>> On 03/03/2011 07:28 AM, Ilya Chernykh wrote:
> <snip>
>>> Recently I saw in the KDE forum that somebody suggested that Trinity
>>> could be
>>> named "KDE Classic" to empathize the connection with all the KDE
>>> heritage and
>>> history and also underline that it is the true KDE.
>>>
>>> I think I should agree that this is reasonable idea.
>>>
>>> - It would spare you from re-branding and re-drawing the artwork.
>>> - KDE is well known desktop and brand.
>>> - Many KDE3 apps claim they are written for KDE. This may create
>>> confusion
>>> with some users if they use Trinity.
>>> - Continuous version system (KDE Classic 4 etc vs. Trinity 4).
>>> - You empathize that KDE3 did not dead, and KDE Classic is the true KDE
>>> rather
>>> than KDE SC 4.
>>> - Parallels with Mac OS Classic, Windows Classic (a Windows appearance
>>> theme)
>>> terms.
>>> - You can keep the both names: "KDE Classic by Trinity project" etc.
>>>
>>> I thought many times what would happen if the creators of KDE4 named
>>> their
>>> desktop "Plasma" or something and left the brand of KDE to KDE3. I
>>> think in
>>> that case KDE4 would not be so popular because the users would not
>>> associate
>>> it with KDE and perceived only KDE3 as the last true KDE. Indeed the
>>> name
>>> means very much.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
>> If you look at the openSuSE and kde lists as early as 2008, I thought
>> "KDE
>> Classic" made sense for kde.org for 4 reasons:
>>
>>  (1) there was no rational reason for 'abandoning' the kde3 code - it
>> was a
>> fantastic desktop;
>>
>>  (2) kde3 and kde4 are not mutually exclusive, they can both exist
>> side-by-side,
>>
>>  (3) continuing to offer kde3 provided users a 'choice' of kde desktops
>> (which
>> is what open-source is supposed to be all about), and
>>
>>  (4) the manpower provided by kde.org required to maintain kde3 was
>> minimal
>> compared to the requirements of developing the new kde4.
>>
>> Basically, it was a "why throw the baby out with the bath water?" issue.
>>
>> I think kde.org may be more receptive to this idea now than they were 2
>> years
>> ago and this project has proven the kde3 can be maintained and moved
>> into the
>> future with virtually no resources from kde.org, ...and... to be fair I
>> should
>> also add a 5th reason it makes sense for kde.org to continue KDE
>> Classic. It
>> provides them with a fallback:
>>
>>  (5) "what do we do when kde4 blows up in our face?"
>
> A discussion started on another thread on whether to keep the name
> Trinity Desktop Environment or to rename to KDE Classic. I thought I'd
> make this discussion a bit more obvious to those who may want to
> provide input.
>

It's quite simple really.  We have no legal right to use the trademark
"KDE" for anything.  KDE e.V. has graciously cut us some slack during this
transitional period, but they could easily demand full removal of all of
their trademarks at any time (e.g. if this project starts actually
competing with KDE4 for some reason).

Tim