Edit NOTICE in the README.

Closes #637

Author: jxblum

README.adoc

@@ -4,6 +4,75 @@ image:https://spring.io/badges/spring-data-geode/ga.svg[Spring Data Geode,link=h
 
 Spring Data for Apache Geode brings the full power of the Spring Framework to your Apache Geode applications.
 
+[[notice]]
+== NOTICE
+
+[[notice-2023-january]]
+*2023-January-17*:
+
+At the end of 2022, VMware https://tanzu.vmware.com/content/blog/spring-for-vmware-gemfire-is-now-available[announced]
+the general availability of the Spring for VMware GemFire portfolio of projects.
+
+While these Spring based projects for VMware GemFire are open source and a succession to the Spring for Apache Geode
+projects, they are not a replacement. VMware GemFire forked from the Apache Geode project and is not open source.
+Additionally, newer Apache Geode and VMware GemFire clients are not backwards compatible with older Apache Geode
+and VMware GemFire servers. You can begin the transition by starting https://docs.vmware.com/en/Spring-Data-for-VMware-GemFire/index.html[here].
+
+Alternatively, the Spring portfolio provides first-class https://docs.spring.io/spring-boot/docs/current/reference/html/io.html#io.caching.provider[integration]
+with other comparable caching providers. Also, see https://docs.spring.io/spring-framework/docs/current/reference/html/integration.html#cache-store-configuration[here]
+and https://docs.spring.io/spring-framework/docs/current/reference/html/integration.html#cache-plug[here].
+
+Finally, keep in mind, the Spring for Apache Geode projects will still be maintained until OSS and commercial support
+ends. Maintenance will only include CVE and critical fixes. No new features or major enhancements will be made.
+The Spring Data for Apache Geode support timelines can be viewed https://spring.io/projects/spring-data-geode#support[here].
+
+[[notice-2022-october]]
+*2022-October-24*:
+
+As of Spring Data `2022.0.0-RC1` (_Turing_-RC1) / `3.0.0-RC1`, the _Spring Data for Apache Geode_ (SDG) module
+has been removed from the Spring Data BOM and Spring Data release train. SDG will no longer continue in
+the `3.0` generation from this point forward.
+
+In summary, VMware (VMW) made a https://markmail.org/message/oafksl5iufmqhuyg[decision] to discontinue all contributions
+to the Apache Geode project at the Apache Software Foundation (ASF). VMware has committed to the Apache Geode project
+until the end of October 2022. However, the plan is to transition the Apache Geode project responsibilities to another
+entity or group of individuals who are members of the PMC and are willing to maintain and manage the project going
+forward.
+
+Unfortunately, as of 2022-October-24, the Apache Geode project failed to secure at least 3 voting members on the PMC
+required to maintain and manage the project. So, a https://markmail.org/message/dfdkfmxcawcl4q7r[VOTE] was cast to move
+the Apache Geode project to the Attic at the Apache Software Foundation. Clearly, this puts the _Spring Data for
+Apache Geode_ (SDG) project at odds with the Apache Geode project, especially with respect to
+https://spring.io/projects/spring-data-geode#support[support timelines].
+
+_Spring Data for Apache Geode_ (SDG) `2.7.x` is already GA and based on Apache Geode `1.14.x`. Across the Spring
+portfolio there was no plan for a Spring Data `2.8` and a subsequent Spring Boot `2.8` to pick up Spring Data `2.8`.
+SDG `2.8` would have been the earliest opportunity to build support for Apache Geode `1.15`
+(See https://geode.apache.org/releases/[releases]).
+
+Since Spring Data / Spring Boot `2.7` are the last minor releases in our `2.x` release series, SDG `3.0` was then
+immediately targeted for Apache Geode `1.15`. Although, given VMW's decision, we decided to cancel SDG `3.0` because
+it would extend our support timelines significantly past the October 2022 date committed to by VMW. As a result, support
+for Apache Geode `1.15` was going to move into an extended SDG `2.8` release and proceed with a series of milestones
+and release candidates leading up to a final `2.8.0` GA in a relatively compressed timeframe.
+
+Now that this https://markmail.org/message/dfdkfmxcawcl4q7r[VOTE] has been cast, we have changed our decision
+and the Spring team will no longer proceed with SDG `2.8`. In addition, although we will honor our SDG project
+commitments and https://spring.io/projects/spring-data-geode#support[support timelines], where SDG `2.7.x` OSS EOL
+ends on 2023-May-05 and commercial EOL ends on 2024-Sept-01, the SDG project will now go into minimal maintenance
+mode where only CVEs and critical bugs will be addressed. No new features or enhancements to the SDG project will occur.
+
+Finally, VMW has intentions of resurrecting the _Spring Data for VMware GemFire_ (SDG) https://spring.io/projects/spring-data-gemfire[project],
+which will become the eventual successor of the _Spring Data for Apache Geode_ project. However, _Spring Data for VMware GemFire_
+will be managed as an external, community-led project. _Spring Data for VMware GemFire_ will not be included in
+the Spring Data BOM, will not be released as part of the Spring Data release train and will not be maintained by
+the Spring (Data) team any longer.
+
+Specifics of the _Spring Data for VMware GemFire_ project and timeframe are beyond the scope this notice, but more
+details will be provided in a blog post in the near future.
+
+
+[[features]]
 == Features
 
 * XML namespace to https://docs.spring.io/spring-data-geode/docs/current/reference/html/#bootstrap[configure and create Apache Geode resources declaratively with Spring]