It has been pointed out to me that one problem Tracker may run into is legal issues with linking directly to the RPMs at livna.org. I've been thinking about ways to nip potential legal issues in the bud and am looking at two possible solutions.
Option 1: It would be relatively easy to have the "download" links for packages from Extras-NonUs repositories point to a page explaining that because Tracker is hosted in the US, it cannot provide links to the software in question. It can then include instructions on adding the relevant repo to the user's apt/yum sources and installing the package that way.
Option 2: Some have suggested hosting Tracker outside of the US. One problem I see with this is the fact that Tracker relies heavily on optimizations in mysql 4.x which, because of licensing issues, is still not easily available on Fedora. In order for Tracker to run well, the hosting system would have to install Mysql 4.x. Not a big deal, but it does entail extra work for the system's admin. I don't know if it's appropriate to ask for such things on this list, but let's just say that in order for option 2 to to be viable I would first need some international volunteers =;).
I'm leaning toward option 1 for now, if only to save myself the trouble of migrating everything. Opinions and legal details (my knowledge of the issue basically boils down to "DMCA BAD! ROAR!") are, as always, appreciated.
--Brad
On Sun, 28 Mar 2004 11:28:25 -0500, Brad Smith wrote:
It has been pointed out to me that one problem Tracker may run into is legal issues with linking directly to the RPMs at livna.org.
Yes, and 'freshrpms' and 'atrpms' and several others. livna.org is not the only one that carries software with patenting or licensing concerns.
Le dim, 28/03/2004 à 22:04 +0200, Michael Schwendt a écrit :
On Sun, 28 Mar 2004 11:28:25 -0500, Brad Smith wrote:
It has been pointed out to me that one problem Tracker may run into is legal issues with linking directly to the RPMs at livna.org.
Yes, and 'freshrpms' and 'atrpms' and several others. livna.org is not the only one that carries software with patenting or licensing concerns.
jpackage et least should be clean. Whenever we have a doubt -> non-free + nosrc.rpm only
Regards,
It has been pointed out to me that one problem Tracker may run into is legal issues with linking directly to the RPMs at livna.org.
Yes, and 'freshrpms' and 'atrpms' and several others. livna.org is not the only one that carries software with patenting or licensing concerns.
Did people learn nothing from Ghandi about mass nonviolent civil disobedience? If we stop linking, we'll lose by default. "We have nothing to fear but fear itself."
Let's not get too scared of a little <a>.
Love,
Derek
Derek P. Moore wrote:
Did people learn nothing from Ghandi about mass nonviolent civil disobedience? If we stop linking, we'll lose by default. "We have nothing to fear but fear itself."
Let's not get too scared of a little <a>.
Yes, but Ghandi wasn't a publicly traded corporation with headquarters in Raleigh, NC.
Regards,
Yes, but Ghandi wasn't a publicly traded corporation with headquarters in Raleigh, NC.
Agreed. However, two things occur to me:
1) There is currently an explicit non-relationship between Tracker and Red Hat. It's my personal project that I'm doing in my spare time.
2) I believe that under the DMCA any complaint would have to begin with a formal request for offensive links to be taken down and an opportunity given to comply. Someone please correct me if that's in error. If this is so, then at least there's no chance of someone coming along and saying "You linked to mplayer. Now give us money or get taken to court". Nonetheless, it follows from 2 that as long as Tracker is hosted in the US we will at least need a contingency plan in case such a request-for-removal arrives. Removing download links from livna is one thing. It's annoying, but then so is the DMCA. Removing download links from all packages in all third-party repositories is another and would defeat the point of Tracker's being there to some extent.
So I'm beginning to lean toward hosting Tracker outside of the US as the better solution. I've received email from someone in the UK who has access to a machine, but there are some technical issues he and I will have to sort out before it's viable.
In any case I think that's what I'm going to pursue, at least as a contingency plan, unless someone can come up with a better idea.
--Brad
On Sun, 2004-03-28 at 19:13, Brad Smith wrote:
Yes, but Ghandi wasn't a publicly traded corporation with headquarters in Raleigh, NC.
Agreed. However, two things occur to me:
- There is currently an explicit non-relationship between Tracker and
Red Hat. It's my personal project that I'm doing in my spare time.
- I believe that under the DMCA any complaint would have to begin with
a formal request for offensive links to be taken down and an opportunity given to comply. Someone please correct me if that's in error. If this is so, then at least there's no chance of someone coming along and saying "You linked to mplayer. Now give us money or get taken to court".
Depends on the court that issues the compliance order.
So I'm beginning to lean toward hosting Tracker outside of the US as the better solution. I've received email from someone in the UK who has access to a machine, but there are some technical issues he and I will have to sort out before it's viable.
The problem would then come down not to where it is hosted, but by who is running it/wrote it and 'who' paid for your time/effort {and depending on the court it doesnt matter if you do it on your own time and can prove it. I have heard that in some jurisdictions you are chattel of your company if you are not paid by the hour (but get legal advice on this).}
1) Get a real lawyer to review your rights, duties, etc. 2) Get an agreement with Red Hat that this is being done as your own, and you are completely responsible for it. 3) Using your legal advice, maybe move it to another place and turn over ownership/membership to such a place.
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