Comment 66 for bug 269656

Let's also look at this from the perspective of someone who does not accept the EULA. They are now (legally) without a web browser and must figure out how to install Epiphany via the help documents.

That is user-hostile. That is ugly. That is inconsistent. the user has already installed the operating system and Firefox, being a default component, should thus be ready to use. EULA unchecked is not ready to use. If this gets into release, we will have to remove every claim that Ubuntu is ready with a full suite of software after installation.

On a different note, I too am on the Epiphany bandwagon -- even if it's Gecko Epiphany. It will be especially important with future GNOME releases that include Telepathy and the like, since having a well integrated web browser (which Firefox only pretends to be on the surface) will become very important. That is not a discussion for here, though.

If we use a debranded Firefox by default, we may as well drop the thing entirely. The reason we use Firefox by default now is because it is a big name; users see it and feel a bit more comfortable with Ubuntu. If that is replaced with a cold, unknown name like IceWeasel, that plan backfires completely.
If this involves a software switch, we may as well switch to a browser that follows the GNOME release cycle and works properly in this desktop environment. The choices are limited but friendly.