libpano12: patent problems
Package: libpano12
Version: 2.7.0.9-1
Severity: serious
As has been pointed out multiple times in the ITP (obviously noone read
it...) for panotools
(http://bugs.debian.org/cgi-bin/bugreport.cgi?bug=251617), the original
author of panotools/libpano, Helmut Dersch has been forced by patent
lawsuits to abandon the program. Part of the story can be obtained here:
http://vr.albury.net.au/%7Ekathyw/EyePics/ipix.html or by googling
around ("panotools patent").
The situation seems to be analogue to the one around the mp3 encoders
(lame.... see the thread starting at
http://lists.debian.org/debian-devel/2000/06/msg01213.html)
If that is correct, we can't have panotools/libpano in debian, not even
non-free.
Robert.
--
Rincewind formed a mental picture of some strange entity living in a castle
made of teeth. It was the kind of mental picture you tried to forget.
Unsuccessfully.
-- Terry Pratchett, "The Light Fantastic"
Reply to: