Re: x.org non free?
Michael Below <mbelow@antithese.de> writes:
> Mickaël Leduque <mickael.leduque@laposte.net> writes:
>
>> (I'm not related with debian, except being a debian user)
>
>> I'm a bit worried by this file I found in x.org source : xc/README.crypto
>>
>> I'm sure this question has been answered hundreds of times and there's
>> nothing worrying here, but the contents of this file seems to make all
>> the files that are related to it non free.
>>
>> What did I miss?
>
> I'm not a developer either, but from the legal point of view you're
> right, I'd say. Their README.crypto says:
>
> Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, hardware,
> software, technology or services provided under this license
> agreement may not be exported, reexported, transferred or
> downloaded to or within (or to a national resident of)
> countries under U.S. economic embargo including the following
> countries:
>
> Cuba, Iran, Libya, North Korea, Sudan and Syria. This list is
> subject to change.
>
> I.E. they are making US export restrictions part of their license --
I think they are simply stating facts, to make the user aware of the
situation.
> at least in german law, it doesn't matter whether they called the file
> LICENSE or README, they made it clear that they want to make this
> binding. This seems to be a violation of Nr. 5 of the DFSG, saying:
>
> The license must not discriminate against any person or group
> of persons.
>
> Also, the x.org README.crypto limits redistribution:
>
> You may not export or re-export this software or any copy or
> adaptation in violation of any applicable laws or regulations.
Again, this is only stating facts that are always true, whether
explicitly stated or not.
> I'd say this conflicts Nr. 1 of the DFSG, saying:
>
> The license of a Debian component may not restrict any party
> from selling or giving away the software as a component of an
> aggregate software distribution containing programs from
> several different sources. The license may not require a
> royalty or other fee for such sale.
If the law places restrictions on distribution, there is nothing a
license can do about it.
--
Måns Rullgård
mru@inprovide.com
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