[theme-reviewers] Why can't theme authors have a second version of a theme?

Sun Sep 28 21:52:21 UTC 2014

*For clarification reasons only.*

Our guideline says:

   - Themes are not to use related Theme names (e.g. WP Theme Name, Theme
   Name WP, The Theme Name, etc.) in their name.

And going by that you can't, nor can CyberChimps.

Now here's where things get interesting:

While back we had a long discussion about generic names and majority agreed
that names like Business should not be within above mentioned rule, which
means if you have a theme called "Business" I can release a theme called
"Business People", but I cannot do the same for any names that are not
generic.

I will draw the line here, yes this is something I said whatever at the end
and warned the rest that one day we will have issues. And what do you know
that day came!

So, going by that, yes you can release.

Other than being the obvious and unless the guideline applies the equally
to all, I will not police them.

*I miss the old days where we reviewed themes, learnt from each-other and
where this was fun guys. My 5 year anniversary is in three months from now.
Yep that long* :)

On Sun, Sep 28, 2014 at 4:17 PM, Tina Ach <t4324acharya at gmail.com> wrote:

> Reference: https://themes.trac.wordpress.org/ticket/20784
>
>  Now, if you want to keep the name, add a description instead of II and
>> let's move on.
>> Otto mentioned "Responsive Grid" or "Responsive Whatever Description"
>
>
> @emil @otto
> So, to clarify, can I release my new themes with any of these names now:
> Responsively
> Responsivity
> Responsive Grand
> Responsive Layout
> Responsive Grid
>
> Unless cyberchimp legally trademarks 'Responsive', and since wordpress.org
> now allows it, I guess I am clear to use these theme names?
>
> Just wanted to clarify before I pick any of these names for my new theme.
>
> thanks,
> Tina
>
>   It’s important now to respect the group mail and avoid trolling at this
>> point.
>>
>> What we be will be.
>>
>>
>>  *From:* Tina Ach <t4324acharya at gmail.com>
>> *Sent:* Sunday, September 28, 2014 6:46 AM
>> *To:* Discussion list for WordPress theme reviewers.
>> <theme-reviewers at lists.wordpress.org>
>> *Subject:* Re: [theme-reviewers] Why can't theme authors have a second
>> version of a theme?
>>
>>
>>> David Chandra <david at shellcreeper.com> wrote:
>>>
>>> and don't worry if anyone else decide to submit the name "Responsive
>>> Mobile". I got several other name:
>>> "Responsive Z", "Responsive XYZ", or maybe "Responsive 101".
>>>
>> @david, Let team up together, call ourselves "InternetMonkeys", and start
>> releasing themes like Responze and Responsivity. Since clearly we are
>> "allowed" to do that, and we wont be breaking any rules.
>>
>> I am sure Trent will again spark a 100 email long discussion, yelling
>> that our themes be removed from the repository... Lol!!
>>
>> Tina :)
>>
>> Tina Ach <t4324acharya at gmail.com> wrote:
>>
>>>  Coming down to the actual naming issue, there is a reason why this
>>> rule exists. Even if you are the only one allowed to use the name
>>> "Responsive WHATEVER", I can still come up with a bunch of names that will
>>> skirt around this rule.
>>>
>>> Responsivity
>>> Responsively
>>> Responze
>>> Responsivulous
>>> Responsorama
>>> Responsorati
>>>
>>> None of these names fringe your "assumed" trademark. Who decides where
>>> to draw a line here?
>>>
>>> Can of worms? Yes, indeed......
>>>
>>> --------------------------------------
>>>
>>> And just to be clear, NO-ONE, I repeat, NO-ONE is policing your "right
>>> to name your theme". Name it Responsive-2 , AS LONG AS ITS NOT HOSTED ON
>>> WORDPRESS.ORG
>>>
>>> You have the right and the freedom to name it ANYTHING, but we as a
>>> community have the right to allow/disallow whats done on wordpress.org
>>> (+1 to Bryan for mentioning that). And yes, the admins here have been given
>>> the right to make decisions based on what THEY think is best for the
>>> community. They listen to the community and make (and often change) rules
>>> for what goes and what doesnt.
>>>
>>>
>>>> Trent Lapinski <trent at cyberchimps.com> wrote:
>>>
>>> Apple, Samsung, Microsoft, and dozens of Fortune 500 companies use names
>>>> and numbers for products. Salesforce's latest development platform is
>>>> called Salesforce1.
>>>
>>> Yes, and you cal call it Responsive 2, as long as you host it on your
>>> own site like all these other companies do... DUH!!!
>>>
>>>
>>>> Trent Lapinski <trent at cyberchimps.com> wrote:
>>>
>>> Actually they are absolutely are refusing to allow us to use the name
>>>> Responsive II. That's how this all got started. They stopped our review and
>>>> told us we can't use the name.
>>>
>>> NO THEY ARENT. They are just asking you that IF you want it hosted on
>>> wporg, then either remove earlier theme, or rename the new one. You can do
>>> whatever you want on your own site, just not on wordpress.org
>>>
>>>
>>>> Emil Uzelac <emil at uzelac.me> wrote:
>>>>
>>> Have you realized that you are the only one that does this?
>>>
>>>
>>> And if you read the entire discussion, you will realize that everyone
>>> who took part has sided with the admins. Only ones opposing them are you,
>>> Bryan and Brad - the 3 people with vested  interests. No neutral entity has
>>> sided with your side of the argument.
>>>
>>> You can yell the loudest that this is bureaucracy, politics, injustice
>>> or what not, but it seems you are the only one saying that, and the
>>> community doesnt believe you.
>>>
>>> So stop being a rebel and behaving like a victim
>>>
>>> Tina
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>  Bryan, kudos to you for conducting yourself in a dignified and
>>>> "respectful" manner.
>>>>
>>>> I am afraid I cant say the same about Trent. Call it condescending or
>>>> disrespectful, your conduct has been shameful. And yes, you have behaved
>>>> like a whiny lil girl who wont stop screaming till she gets her ice cream.
>>>>
>>>> We are all intelligent adults here, so lets not mince words.
>>>> 'Responsive' is a great keyword that a lot of people search for. You got
>>>> this *generic* theme name a long time ago (I dont think this name would
>>>> have been allowed had you released it today).
>>>>
>>>> Now before you jump on your bandwagon, let me say this, and I hope you
>>>> pay attention: I personally think its great for you that you got this
>>>> generic keyword theme name. We all run businesses at the end of the day,
>>>> and OPEN SOURCE IS NOT ANTI-COMMERCIAL. We all have to pay bills, and I get
>>>> that. But please atleast have the dignity to acknowledge that the reason
>>>> for sticking to the 'responsive' name is A LOT MORE THAN SIMPLE BRANDING
>>>> ISSUE.
>>>> It is more profitable for you to keep that name. Dead and simple (And
>>>> there is no shame in that btw. EARNING MONEY IS GOOD...)
>>>>
>>>>  and don't worry if anyone else decide to submit the name "Responsive
>>>>> Mobile". I got several other name:
>>>>> "Responsive Z", "Responsive XYZ", or maybe "Responsive 101".
>>>>>
>>>>> if Cyberchimp can use the name "Responsive X" or "Responsive..." then
>>>>> anyone should be able to do the same, right?
>>>>> because theme author/owner can transfer theme to other person/user.
>>>>> that means there should not be a special case to a company/user.
>>>>> because a week later(read: arbitrary time) the can decide to sell the
>>>>> theme and the name to someone else.
>>>>> (like in Responsive).
>>>>>
>>>>> note:
>>>>> I think this is the "can of worms" otto mention in email.
>>>>>
>>>>> -- David.
>>>>>
>>>>> On Sep 28, 2014 1:10 PM, "David Chandra" <david at shellcreeper.com>
>>>>> wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>> then, I can take the name "Responsive Mobile", right(?)
>>>>>>
>>>>>> thank you!
>>>>>> I'll build the theme today.
>>>>>> and I'll submit it  maybe tomorrow.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> David.
>>>>>> On Sep 28, 2014 8:12 AM, "Bryan Hadaway" <bhadaway at gmail.com> wrote:
>>>>>>
>>>>>>>  Okay, thank you everyone who participated in debating the issue.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> We'll come up with a new name "Responsive X" - "X" representing a
>>>>>>> word that doesn't conflict with the current naming scheme.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> We can consider the issue resolved and closed, at least for our
>>>>>>> specific ticket.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>> theme-reviewers mailing list
>>>>>>> theme-reviewers at lists.wordpress.org
>>>>>>> http://lists.wordpress.org/mailman/listinfo/theme-reviewers
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>> theme-reviewers mailing list
>>>>> theme-reviewers at lists.wordpress.org
>>>>> http://lists.wordpress.org/mailman/listinfo/theme-reviewers
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
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