Re: mpeg encoder patents, Was: Bug#501190: ITP: moonlight

[Manoj Srivastava <srivasta@debian.org>]

On Wed, Oct 08 2008, Clint Adams wrote:

> On Wed, Oct 08, 2008 at 02:30:50PM -0500, Manoj Srivastava wrote:
>>         So I think we need to modify the proposal, not the policy.
>
> We need to stop pretending that patent enforcement is one of our
> responsibilities or that we expose ourself to any kind of liability
> by distributing code that may or may not be patent-encumbered.

        So don't. Don't put any of the patent encumbered sources in main
 either -- there is nothing that says patent infringement does not
 happen as source code.

        That would meet the current policy as well.

        the patent encumbered software would then be treated much like
 we do non-free. Might not have much of an OS left, after that, but
 hey. We will have stopped pretending that patent enforcement is one of
 our responsibilities or that we expose ourself to any kind of liability
 by distributing code that may or may not be patent-encumbered. 

        manoj

-- 
Why is it taking so long for her to bring out all the good in you?
Manoj Srivastava <srivasta@debian.org> <http://www.debian.org/~srivasta/>  
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