Bug#681419: Alternative dependencies on non-free packages in main

[Michael Gilbert <mgilbert@debian.org>]

On Fri, Jul 13, 2012 at 4:02 AM, Bdale Garbee wrote:
> Russ Allbery <rra@debian.org> writes:
>
>> The question at issue in these bugs is whether it is permissible for
>> a package in main to declare a non-default alternative dependency on
>> a package in non-free.  In other words, may a package in main have a
>> dependency of:
>>
>>     Depends: foo | foo-nonfree
>
> Yes, of course this is allowed.  The standard we expect packages in main
> to uphold is that they are functional and useful without requiring any
> software from outside of main.  The above construction completely
> satisfies that standard.

Perhaps the motivation behind this centers around FSF expectations on
Debian's handling of non-free?  If that is the case, wouldn't this
discussion be more appropriate on the new fsf-collab list?

Best wishes,
Mike