When a bug is nominated for fixing in multiple series of a distribution, such as Ubuntu, people can represent the current development series in different ways.
Some people treat the "Ubuntu" line as the current development series. For example, at the time of writing, Hardy is the current development series. Bug 163845 in python2.4 is marked as "In Progress" for Dapper, Edgy, Feisty, and Gutsy; but it is Fix Released for "Ubuntu", which non-obviously represents Hardy.
Nevertheless, it is currently possible to nominate a distribution bug for the Hardy series.
It should be obvious which of these approaches is correct, and (ideally) impossible to take the other approach. That way people can share the same understanding about what bug status for "Ubuntu" means.
See also bug 28710, bug 32795, bug 36645, bug 100083, bug 121602, bug 298956, and bug 340927.
[Reported by William Grant in #launchpad.]
@mpt perhaps you could revisit this now we've got conjoined bug masters, restricted nominations and so forth. Thanks!