Index: src/main/java/org/apache/maven/artifact/versioning/VersionRange.java
===================================================================
--- src/main/java/org/apache/maven/artifact/versioning/VersionRange.java	(revision 430686)
+++ src/main/java/org/apache/maven/artifact/versioning/VersionRange.java	(working copy)
@@ -232,7 +232,7 @@
             restrictions = intersection( r1, r2 );
         }
 
-        ArtifactVersion version = null;
+        ArtifactVersion version = new DefaultArtifactVersion( "RELEASE" );
         if ( restrictions.size() > 0 )
         {
             boolean found = false;
@@ -246,7 +246,7 @@
                     version = recommendedVersion;
                     found = true;
                 }
-                else if ( version == null && restriction.getRecommendedVersion() != null &&
+                else if ( restriction.getRecommendedVersion() != null &&
                     r.containsVersion( restriction.getRecommendedVersion() ) )
                 {
                     // use this if we can, but prefer the original if possible
Index: src/test/java/org/apache/maven/artifact/resolver/DefaultArtifactCollectorTest.java
===================================================================
--- src/test/java/org/apache/maven/artifact/resolver/DefaultArtifactCollectorTest.java	(revision 430686)
+++ src/test/java/org/apache/maven/artifact/resolver/DefaultArtifactCollectorTest.java	(working copy)
@@ -292,10 +292,10 @@
 
         ArtifactResolutionResult res = collect( a );
 
-        ArtifactSpec c = createArtifact( "c", "2.5" );
+        ArtifactSpec c = createArtifact( "c", "RELEASE" );
         assertEquals( "Check artifact list", createSet( new Object[]{a.artifact, b.artifact, c.artifact} ),
                       res.getArtifacts() );
-        assertEquals( "Check version", "2.5", getArtifact( "c", res.getArtifacts() ).getVersion() );
+        assertEquals( "Check version", "RELEASE", getArtifact( "c", res.getArtifacts() ).getVersion() );
     }
 
     public void testIncompatibleRanges()
@@ -307,14 +307,12 @@
 
         b.addDependency( "c", "[1.0,2.0]" );
 
-        try
-        {
-            ArtifactResolutionResult res = collect( a );
-            fail( "Should not succeed collecting, got: " + res.getArtifacts() );
-        }
-        catch ( ArtifactResolutionException expected )
-        {
-        }
+        ArtifactResolutionResult res = collect( a );
+
+        ArtifactSpec c = createArtifact( "c", "RELEASE" );
+        assertEquals( "Check artifact list", createSet( new Object[]{a.artifact, b.artifact, c.artifact} ),
+                      res.getArtifacts() );
+        assertEquals( "Check version", "RELEASE", getArtifact( "c", res.getArtifacts() ).getVersion() );
     }
 
     public void testUnboundedRangeWhenVersionUnavailable()
Index: src/test/java/org/apache/maven/artifact/versioning/VersionRangeTest.java
===================================================================
--- src/test/java/org/apache/maven/artifact/versioning/VersionRangeTest.java	(revision 430686)
+++ src/test/java/org/apache/maven/artifact/versioning/VersionRangeTest.java	(working copy)
@@ -206,7 +206,7 @@
         range1 = VersionRange.createFromVersionSpec( "(1.1,)" );
         range2 = VersionRange.createFromVersionSpec( "1.1" );
         mergedRange = range1.restrict( range2 );
-        assertNull( CHECK_VERSION_RECOMMENDATION, mergedRange.getRecommendedVersion() );
+        assertEquals( CHECK_VERSION_RECOMMENDATION, "RELEASE", mergedRange.getRecommendedVersion().toString() );
         restrictions = mergedRange.getRestrictions();
         assertEquals( CHECK_NUM_RESTRICTIONS, 1, restrictions.size() );
         restriction = (Restriction) restrictions.get( 0 );
@@ -218,7 +218,7 @@
         range1 = VersionRange.createFromVersionSpec( "[1.2,)" );
         range2 = VersionRange.createFromVersionSpec( "1.1" );
         mergedRange = range1.restrict( range2 );
-        assertNull( CHECK_VERSION_RECOMMENDATION, mergedRange.getRecommendedVersion() );
+        assertEquals( CHECK_VERSION_RECOMMENDATION, "RELEASE", mergedRange.getRecommendedVersion().toString() );
         restrictions = mergedRange.getRestrictions();
         assertEquals( CHECK_NUM_RESTRICTIONS, 1, restrictions.size() );
         restriction = (Restriction) restrictions.get( 0 );
@@ -254,7 +254,7 @@
         range1 = VersionRange.createFromVersionSpec( "(,1.1)" );
         range2 = VersionRange.createFromVersionSpec( "1.1" );
         mergedRange = range1.restrict( range2 );
-        assertNull( CHECK_VERSION_RECOMMENDATION, mergedRange.getRecommendedVersion() );
+        assertEquals( CHECK_VERSION_RECOMMENDATION, "RELEASE", mergedRange.getRecommendedVersion().toString() );
         restrictions = mergedRange.getRestrictions();
         assertEquals( CHECK_NUM_RESTRICTIONS, 1, restrictions.size() );
         restriction = (Restriction) restrictions.get( 0 );
@@ -266,7 +266,7 @@
         range1 = VersionRange.createFromVersionSpec( "(,1.0]" );
         range2 = VersionRange.createFromVersionSpec( "1.1" );
         mergedRange = range1.restrict( range2 );
-        assertNull( CHECK_VERSION_RECOMMENDATION, mergedRange.getRecommendedVersion() );
+        assertEquals( CHECK_VERSION_RECOMMENDATION, "RELEASE", mergedRange.getRecommendedVersion().toString() );
         restrictions = mergedRange.getRestrictions();
         assertEquals( CHECK_NUM_RESTRICTIONS, 1, restrictions.size() );
         restriction = (Restriction) restrictions.get( 0 );
@@ -295,7 +295,7 @@
         range1 = VersionRange.createFromVersionSpec( "(,1.0], [1.1,)" );
         range2 = VersionRange.createFromVersionSpec( "1.0.5" );
         mergedRange = range1.restrict( range2 );
-        assertNull( CHECK_VERSION_RECOMMENDATION, mergedRange.getRecommendedVersion() );
+        assertEquals( CHECK_VERSION_RECOMMENDATION, "RELEASE", mergedRange.getRecommendedVersion().toString() );
         restrictions = mergedRange.getRestrictions();
         assertEquals( CHECK_NUM_RESTRICTIONS, 2, restrictions.size() );
         restriction = (Restriction) restrictions.get( 0 );
@@ -312,7 +312,7 @@
         range1 = VersionRange.createFromVersionSpec( "(,1.1), (1.1,)" );
         range2 = VersionRange.createFromVersionSpec( "1.1" );
         mergedRange = range1.restrict( range2 );
-        assertNull( CHECK_VERSION_RECOMMENDATION, mergedRange.getRecommendedVersion() );
+        assertEquals( CHECK_VERSION_RECOMMENDATION, "RELEASE", mergedRange.getRecommendedVersion().toString() );
         restrictions = mergedRange.getRestrictions();
         assertEquals( CHECK_NUM_RESTRICTIONS, 2, restrictions.size() );
         restriction = (Restriction) restrictions.get( 0 );
@@ -329,7 +329,7 @@
         range1 = VersionRange.createFromVersionSpec( "[1.1,1.3]" );
         range2 = VersionRange.createFromVersionSpec( "(1.1,)" );
         mergedRange = range1.restrict( range2 );
-        assertNull( CHECK_VERSION_RECOMMENDATION, mergedRange.getRecommendedVersion() );
+        assertEquals( CHECK_VERSION_RECOMMENDATION, "RELEASE", mergedRange.getRecommendedVersion().toString() );
         restrictions = mergedRange.getRestrictions();
         assertEquals( CHECK_NUM_RESTRICTIONS, 1, restrictions.size() );
         restriction = (Restriction) restrictions.get( 0 );
@@ -341,7 +341,7 @@
         range1 = VersionRange.createFromVersionSpec( "(,1.3)" );
         range2 = VersionRange.createFromVersionSpec( "[1.2,1.3]" );
         mergedRange = range1.restrict( range2 );
-        assertNull( CHECK_VERSION_RECOMMENDATION, mergedRange.getRecommendedVersion() );
+        assertEquals( CHECK_VERSION_RECOMMENDATION, "RELEASE", mergedRange.getRecommendedVersion().toString() );
         restrictions = mergedRange.getRestrictions();
         assertEquals( CHECK_NUM_RESTRICTIONS, 1, restrictions.size() );
         restriction = (Restriction) restrictions.get( 0 );
@@ -353,7 +353,7 @@
         range1 = VersionRange.createFromVersionSpec( "[1.1,1.3]" );
         range2 = VersionRange.createFromVersionSpec( "[1.2,)" );
         mergedRange = range1.restrict( range2 );
-        assertNull( CHECK_VERSION_RECOMMENDATION, mergedRange.getRecommendedVersion() );
+        assertEquals( CHECK_VERSION_RECOMMENDATION, "RELEASE", mergedRange.getRecommendedVersion().toString() );
         restrictions = mergedRange.getRestrictions();
         assertEquals( CHECK_NUM_RESTRICTIONS, 1, restrictions.size() );
         restriction = (Restriction) restrictions.get( 0 );
@@ -365,7 +365,7 @@
         range1 = VersionRange.createFromVersionSpec( "(,1.3]" );
         range2 = VersionRange.createFromVersionSpec( "[1.2,1.4]" );
         mergedRange = range1.restrict( range2 );
-        assertNull( CHECK_VERSION_RECOMMENDATION, mergedRange.getRecommendedVersion() );
+        assertEquals( CHECK_VERSION_RECOMMENDATION, "RELEASE", mergedRange.getRecommendedVersion().toString() );
         restrictions = mergedRange.getRestrictions();
         assertEquals( CHECK_NUM_RESTRICTIONS, 1, restrictions.size() );
         restriction = (Restriction) restrictions.get( 0 );
@@ -377,7 +377,7 @@
         range1 = VersionRange.createFromVersionSpec( "(1.2,1.3]" );
         range2 = VersionRange.createFromVersionSpec( "[1.1,1.4]" );
         mergedRange = range1.restrict( range2 );
-        assertNull( CHECK_VERSION_RECOMMENDATION, mergedRange.getRecommendedVersion() );
+        assertEquals( CHECK_VERSION_RECOMMENDATION, "RELEASE", mergedRange.getRecommendedVersion().toString() );
         restrictions = mergedRange.getRestrictions();
         assertEquals( CHECK_NUM_RESTRICTIONS, 1, restrictions.size() );
         restriction = (Restriction) restrictions.get( 0 );
@@ -389,8 +389,7 @@
         range1 = VersionRange.createFromVersionSpec( "(1.2,1.3)" );
         range2 = VersionRange.createFromVersionSpec( "[1.1,1.4]" );
         mergedRange = range1.restrict( range2 );
-        assertNull( CHECK_VERSION_RECOMMENDATION, mergedRange.getRecommendedVersion() );
-        restrictions = mergedRange.getRestrictions();
+        assertEquals( CHECK_VERSION_RECOMMENDATION, "RELEASE", mergedRange.getRecommendedVersion().toString() );        restrictions = mergedRange.getRestrictions();
         assertEquals( CHECK_NUM_RESTRICTIONS, 1, restrictions.size() );
         restriction = (Restriction) restrictions.get( 0 );
         assertEquals( CHECK_LOWER_BOUND, "1.2", restriction.getLowerBound().toString() );
@@ -401,7 +400,7 @@
         range1 = VersionRange.createFromVersionSpec( "[1.2,1.3)" );
         range2 = VersionRange.createFromVersionSpec( "[1.1,1.4]" );
         mergedRange = range1.restrict( range2 );
-        assertNull( CHECK_VERSION_RECOMMENDATION, mergedRange.getRecommendedVersion() );
+        assertEquals( CHECK_VERSION_RECOMMENDATION, "RELEASE", mergedRange.getRecommendedVersion().toString() );
         restrictions = mergedRange.getRestrictions();
         assertEquals( CHECK_NUM_RESTRICTIONS, 1, restrictions.size() );
         restriction = (Restriction) restrictions.get( 0 );
@@ -413,7 +412,7 @@
         range1 = VersionRange.createFromVersionSpec( "[1.0,1.1]" );
         range2 = VersionRange.createFromVersionSpec( "[1.1,1.4]" );
         mergedRange = range1.restrict( range2 );
-        assertNull( CHECK_VERSION_RECOMMENDATION, mergedRange.getRecommendedVersion() );
+        assertEquals( CHECK_VERSION_RECOMMENDATION, "RELEASE", mergedRange.getRecommendedVersion().toString() );
         restrictions = mergedRange.getRestrictions();
         assertEquals( CHECK_NUM_RESTRICTIONS, 1, restrictions.size() );
         restriction = (Restriction) restrictions.get( 0 );
@@ -425,14 +424,14 @@
         range1 = VersionRange.createFromVersionSpec( "[1.0,1.1)" );
         range2 = VersionRange.createFromVersionSpec( "[1.1,1.4]" );
         mergedRange = range1.restrict( range2 );
-        assertNull( CHECK_VERSION_RECOMMENDATION, mergedRange.getRecommendedVersion() );
+        assertEquals( CHECK_VERSION_RECOMMENDATION, "RELEASE", mergedRange.getRecommendedVersion().toString() );
         restrictions = mergedRange.getRestrictions();
         assertEquals( CHECK_NUM_RESTRICTIONS, 0, restrictions.size() );
 
         range1 = VersionRange.createFromVersionSpec( "[1.0,1.2],[1.3,1.5]" );
         range2 = VersionRange.createFromVersionSpec( "[1.1]" );
         mergedRange = range1.restrict( range2 );
-        assertNull( CHECK_VERSION_RECOMMENDATION, mergedRange.getRecommendedVersion() );
+        assertEquals( CHECK_VERSION_RECOMMENDATION, "RELEASE", mergedRange.getRecommendedVersion().toString() );
         restrictions = mergedRange.getRestrictions();
         assertEquals( CHECK_NUM_RESTRICTIONS, 1, restrictions.size() );
         restriction = (Restriction) restrictions.get( 0 );
@@ -444,7 +443,7 @@
         range1 = VersionRange.createFromVersionSpec( "[1.0,1.2],[1.3,1.5]" );
         range2 = VersionRange.createFromVersionSpec( "[1.4]" );
         mergedRange = range1.restrict( range2 );
-        assertNull( CHECK_VERSION_RECOMMENDATION, mergedRange.getRecommendedVersion() );
+        assertEquals( CHECK_VERSION_RECOMMENDATION, "RELEASE", mergedRange.getRecommendedVersion().toString() );
         restrictions = mergedRange.getRestrictions();
         assertEquals( CHECK_NUM_RESTRICTIONS, 1, restrictions.size() );
         restriction = (Restriction) restrictions.get( 0 );
@@ -456,7 +455,7 @@
         range1 = VersionRange.createFromVersionSpec( "[1.0,1.2],[1.3,1.5]" );
         range2 = VersionRange.createFromVersionSpec( "[1.1,1.4]" );
         mergedRange = range1.restrict( range2 );
-        assertNull( CHECK_VERSION_RECOMMENDATION, mergedRange.getRecommendedVersion() );
+        assertEquals( CHECK_VERSION_RECOMMENDATION, "RELEASE", mergedRange.getRecommendedVersion().toString() );
         restrictions = mergedRange.getRestrictions();
         assertEquals( CHECK_NUM_RESTRICTIONS, 2, restrictions.size() );
         restriction = (Restriction) restrictions.get( 0 );
@@ -473,7 +472,7 @@
         range1 = VersionRange.createFromVersionSpec( "[1.0,1.2),(1.3,1.5]" );
         range2 = VersionRange.createFromVersionSpec( "[1.1,1.4]" );
         mergedRange = range1.restrict( range2 );
-        assertNull( CHECK_VERSION_RECOMMENDATION, mergedRange.getRecommendedVersion() );
+        assertEquals( CHECK_VERSION_RECOMMENDATION, "RELEASE", mergedRange.getRecommendedVersion().toString() );
         restrictions = mergedRange.getRestrictions();
         assertEquals( CHECK_NUM_RESTRICTIONS, 2, restrictions.size() );
         restriction = (Restriction) restrictions.get( 0 );
@@ -490,7 +489,7 @@
         range1 = VersionRange.createFromVersionSpec( "[1.0,1.2],[1.3,1.5]" );
         range2 = VersionRange.createFromVersionSpec( "(1.1,1.4)" );
         mergedRange = range1.restrict( range2 );
-        assertNull( CHECK_VERSION_RECOMMENDATION, mergedRange.getRecommendedVersion() );
+        assertEquals( CHECK_VERSION_RECOMMENDATION, "RELEASE", mergedRange.getRecommendedVersion().toString() );
         restrictions = mergedRange.getRestrictions();
         assertEquals( CHECK_NUM_RESTRICTIONS, 2, restrictions.size() );
         restriction = (Restriction) restrictions.get( 0 );
@@ -507,7 +506,7 @@
         range1 = VersionRange.createFromVersionSpec( "[1.0,1.2),(1.3,1.5]" );
         range2 = VersionRange.createFromVersionSpec( "(1.1,1.4)" );
         mergedRange = range1.restrict( range2 );
-        assertNull( CHECK_VERSION_RECOMMENDATION, mergedRange.getRecommendedVersion() );
+        assertEquals( CHECK_VERSION_RECOMMENDATION, "RELEASE", mergedRange.getRecommendedVersion().toString() );
         restrictions = mergedRange.getRestrictions();
         assertEquals( CHECK_NUM_RESTRICTIONS, 2, restrictions.size() );
         restriction = (Restriction) restrictions.get( 0 );
@@ -524,28 +523,28 @@
         range1 = VersionRange.createFromVersionSpec( "(,1.1),(1.4,)" );
         range2 = VersionRange.createFromVersionSpec( "[1.1,1.4]" );
         mergedRange = range1.restrict( range2 );
-        assertNull( CHECK_VERSION_RECOMMENDATION, mergedRange.getRecommendedVersion() );
+        assertEquals( CHECK_VERSION_RECOMMENDATION, "RELEASE", mergedRange.getRecommendedVersion().toString() );
         restrictions = mergedRange.getRestrictions();
         assertEquals( CHECK_NUM_RESTRICTIONS, 0, restrictions.size() );
 
         range1 = VersionRange.createFromVersionSpec( "(,1.1],[1.4,)" );
         range2 = VersionRange.createFromVersionSpec( "(1.1,1.4)" );
         mergedRange = range1.restrict( range2 );
-        assertNull( CHECK_VERSION_RECOMMENDATION, mergedRange.getRecommendedVersion() );
+        assertEquals( CHECK_VERSION_RECOMMENDATION, "RELEASE", mergedRange.getRecommendedVersion().toString() );
         restrictions = mergedRange.getRestrictions();
         assertEquals( CHECK_NUM_RESTRICTIONS, 0, restrictions.size() );
 
         range1 = VersionRange.createFromVersionSpec( "[,1.1],[1.4,]" );
         range2 = VersionRange.createFromVersionSpec( "[1.2,1.3]" );
         mergedRange = range1.restrict( range2 );
-        assertNull( CHECK_VERSION_RECOMMENDATION, mergedRange.getRecommendedVersion() );
+        assertEquals( CHECK_VERSION_RECOMMENDATION, "RELEASE", mergedRange.getRecommendedVersion().toString() );
         restrictions = mergedRange.getRestrictions();
         assertEquals( CHECK_NUM_RESTRICTIONS, 0, restrictions.size() );
 
         range1 = VersionRange.createFromVersionSpec( "[1.0,1.2],[1.3,1.5]" );
         range2 = VersionRange.createFromVersionSpec( "[1.1,1.4],[1.6,]" );
         mergedRange = range1.restrict( range2 );
-        assertNull( CHECK_VERSION_RECOMMENDATION, mergedRange.getRecommendedVersion() );
+        assertEquals( CHECK_VERSION_RECOMMENDATION, "RELEASE", mergedRange.getRecommendedVersion().toString() );
         restrictions = mergedRange.getRestrictions();
         assertEquals( CHECK_NUM_RESTRICTIONS, 2, restrictions.size() );
         restriction = (Restriction) restrictions.get( 0 );
@@ -562,7 +561,7 @@
         range1 = VersionRange.createFromVersionSpec( "[1.0,1.2],[1.3,1.5]" );
         range2 = VersionRange.createFromVersionSpec( "[1.1,1.4],[1.5,]" );
         mergedRange = range1.restrict( range2 );
-        assertNull( CHECK_VERSION_RECOMMENDATION, mergedRange.getRecommendedVersion() );
+        assertEquals( CHECK_VERSION_RECOMMENDATION, "RELEASE", mergedRange.getRecommendedVersion().toString() );
         restrictions = mergedRange.getRestrictions();
         assertEquals( CHECK_NUM_RESTRICTIONS, 3, restrictions.size() );
         restriction = (Restriction) restrictions.get( 0 );
@@ -584,7 +583,7 @@
         range1 = VersionRange.createFromVersionSpec( "[1.0,1.2],[1.3,1.7]" );
         range2 = VersionRange.createFromVersionSpec( "[1.1,1.4],[1.5,1.6]" );
         mergedRange = range1.restrict( range2 );
-        assertNull( CHECK_VERSION_RECOMMENDATION, mergedRange.getRecommendedVersion() );
+        assertEquals( CHECK_VERSION_RECOMMENDATION, "RELEASE", mergedRange.getRecommendedVersion().toString() );
         restrictions = mergedRange.getRestrictions();
         assertEquals( CHECK_NUM_RESTRICTIONS, 3, restrictions.size() );
         restriction = (Restriction) restrictions.get( 0 );
@@ -608,7 +607,7 @@
         range2 = VersionRange.createFromVersionSpec( "[1.2,1.3]" );
         range1 = range1.restrict( range2 );
         mergedRange = range1.restrict( range2 );
-        assertNull( CHECK_VERSION_RECOMMENDATION, mergedRange.getRecommendedVersion() );
+        assertEquals( CHECK_VERSION_RECOMMENDATION, "RELEASE", mergedRange.getRecommendedVersion().toString() );
         restrictions = mergedRange.getRestrictions();
         assertEquals( CHECK_NUM_RESTRICTIONS, 0, restrictions.size() );
 
@@ -616,7 +615,7 @@
         range2 = VersionRange.createFromVersionSpec( "[1.2,1.3]" );
         range2 = range1.restrict( range2 );
         mergedRange = range1.restrict( range2 );
-        assertNull( CHECK_VERSION_RECOMMENDATION, mergedRange.getRecommendedVersion() );
+        assertEquals( CHECK_VERSION_RECOMMENDATION, "RELEASE", mergedRange.getRecommendedVersion().toString() );
         restrictions = mergedRange.getRestrictions();
         assertEquals( CHECK_NUM_RESTRICTIONS, 0, restrictions.size() );
     }