legal October 2012

legal@lists.fedoraproject.org

14 participants
14 discussions

GNU GPL Exception
by Miro Hrončok 08 Oct '12

08 Oct '12

HI again, I want to package a software, that uses GNU GPL version 2 but with an exception. At the begining of the COPYING file is this: ********************************************************************* As a special exception, you have permission to link this program with the CGAL library and distribute executables, as long as you follow the requirements of the GNU GPL in regard to all of the software in the executable aside from CGAL. ********************************************************************* GNU GENERAL PUBLIC LICENSE Version 2, June 1991 ...full text of the license follows... What should I do about that? Thank you very much. Miro Hrončok Jabber: miro(a)hroncok.cz Telefon: +420777974800

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I've got a permission "to use the code in any way I choose", but no license
by Miro Hrončok 08 Oct '12

08 Oct '12

Hello, I asked an author of a public code I want to package to Fedora, this is his answer: > You are free to use the code in any way you choose, including attempting to sell it for > a profit (I think people have). The code was written long before licenses became standardized. > Best regards, > Steve Fortune When I asked him to specify the license, he added: > It's unlicensed. I just gave you permission to use it. Is it possible to package this into Fedora? Thanks for your help. Miro Hrončok Jabber: miro(a)hroncok.cz Telefon: +420777974800

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clarification: is "inactive" mp3 source code forbidden?
by Matthew Miller 03 Oct '12

03 Oct '12

See: https://fedorahosted.org/fpc/ticket/214 I'm just looking for a quick clarification on whether it's our position that mp3 falls under patented code we should avoid packaging even as source. -- Matthew Miller ☁☁☁ Fedora Cloud Architect ☁☁☁ <mattdm(a)fedoraproject.org>

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Re: [Fedora-legal-list] clarification: is "inactive" mp3 source code forbidden?
by Tristan Santore 01 Oct '12

01 Oct '12

On 01/10/12 21:00, Matthew Miller wrote: > On Mon, Oct 01, 2012 at 08:52:41PM +0100, Tristan Santore wrote: >>> I'm just looking for a quick clarification on whether it's our position that >>> mp3 falls under patented code we should avoid packaging even as source. >> A little research shows that there are a variety of patents involved >> with this issue. > > Yes, I'm aware. :) > > There's a theory that at least some software patents are not violated by > distribution of source code, because only binary code actually implements > the invention. I don't know the legal validity of that theory, just that it > exists, and I would like Fedora legal to be more specific. > > I believe this falls under contributory infringement, in the US. So, if you as an entity distribute the source code, then you are still liable. Of course, I am not in the US, and as such care little for such non-sense. But sadly, Red Hat is a US based company, which makes it liable, as Fedora is a Red Hat entity. Which is why we have had all this annoying non-sense to deal with. Ubuntu is based in London, legally, which is why they do not care too much. Software patents do not apply in the EU, unless they form part of a hardware device, as far as I understand. Also, I don't see the practicality of us packaging something only as source. Koji takes the source RPM and builds it, so that would then mean we need another way to do this, or modifications to Koji to exclude builds. Bodhi then would also need modifications. Also, that is why us European fedora lovers have created RPM fusion, which has nothing to do with Fedora or Red Hat, so we can use whatever is encumbered in the US, of course, legally, if you are based in the US, you could be liable for usage of patent encumbered technologies, which is why I generally inform people of potential problems, if you live in a region in the world, where software patents are legal. Regards, Tristan I am making sure this goes to the legal list. So people can follow this. Again, Tom and Richard should clarify. Regards, Tristan -- Tristan Santore BSc MBCS TS4523-RIPE Network and Infrastructure Operations InterNexusConnect Mobile +44-78-55069812 Tristan.Santore(a)internexusconnect.net Former Thawte Notary (Please note: Thawte has closed its WoT programme down, and I am therefore no longer able to accredit trust) For Fedora related issues, please email me at: TSantore(a)fedoraproject.org

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legal October 2012