A package has to publicly announce that it is overriding files from another package. If it doesn't dpkg has to assume that this is done by mistake and bails out.
Just because the filename is the same doesn't meant it has a compatible content. If it isn't compatible it will break software on way or another and the content of the file depends on which package was installed last. Very dangerous. Its like going in a foreign country into a restaurant, eat and at the end expect from the owner that you can pay with dollars or euros as both is named "money". It might work in some, but sooner or later you will encounter one who isn't accepting your dollars/euros and calls the police (and the grumpy policeman puts you into jail and looses the key to your cell, because it has the same name as its car key and is therefore replaced…). So we are trying to help you avoiding jail. No problem – You are welcome. ;) ** Changed in: apt (Ubuntu) Status: New => Opinion -- You received this bug notification because you are a member of Ubuntu Bugs, which is subscribed to Ubuntu. https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/1259319 Title: report error instead to react To manage notifications about this bug go to: https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/apt/+bug/1259319/+subscriptions -- ubuntu-bugs mailing list ubuntu-bugs@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-bugs