A conflict is brewing because Canonical, the company behind the Ubuntu free software Linux desktop, is using the name for a closed private network as well, i.e. UbuntoOne.

Autonomo.us, the blog of the free network services movement, is reporting on it here.

An excerpt from Greg Grossmeier (go to the original for the links):

” Canonical will not be releasing the server software for UbuntuOne as Free/Libre Open Source Software (FLOSS). Thus, no user is able to install their own hosted version of UbuntuOne to ensure total ownership of the system and process. As someone who believes in the principles of the Franklin Street Statement, I would be much happier if UbuntuOne (or Dropbpox, Drop.io, etc) would release the server code under a FLOSS license as per the recommendation of the Franklin Street Statement.

Personally, I am proud to say I am a member of the Ubuntu community. I am the leader of the Michigan Local Community Team and really believe that what Ubuntu, as a whole, is doing is beneficial for the FLOSS community. With that said, I believe that UbuntuOne would better serve the community, and even Canonical, as a Free Network Service. It would show Canonical’s commitment to FLOSS and be a great example for other companies thinking about entering this area. It would also be the flagship file sync Free Network Service and thus would gain much publicity, and users, because of that. The for-pay option of getting a larger allotment of space would still be desired and marketable.

Novell has recently revived the iFolder project and has even assigned a Community Manager to the project (Brent McConnell). Brent has even personally ensured me that they are “totally committed to keeping iFolder open and regret the poor management of the project over the last year or so.”

iFolder, unlike any of the other alternatives, is a Free Network Service.”