On Thu, 4 Oct 2007 17:04:25 +0200 Richard Spindler wrote: > Hi, > > I just studied the Debian Free Software Guidelines, in search of a > statement about so called "Software Patents", and how they are > considered when including software into the debian archive. > > However, I could not find anything about that topic. Please note that there is no explicit mention of "copyright" either. [...] > Are the guidelines implicitly sufficient when dealing with such > issues? If yes, it would be nice to have a pointer to some kind of FAQ > document, that outlines how the DFSG are to be interpreted in respect > to this topic? The following might help, maybe: http://people.debian.org/~bap/dfsg-faq.html#disclaimer > > Is there a consensus in the debian community about how to deal with > "Software Patents" and the inclusion of software into the debian > archive? [...] AFAICT, the Debian Project worries about software patents only when there's known history of active enforcement of the patent the package infringes on *and* there's no permissive patent license available to the general public. This is a practical rule, due to the fact that, should the Debian Project refrain from distributing any package infringing on at least one patent in at least one jurisdiction, well, there would *not* be a Debian system at all! Usual big disclaimers: IANAL, TINLA, IANADD, TINASOTODP. -- http://frx.netsons.org/doc/nanodocs/testing_workstation_install.html Need to read a Debian testing installation walk-through? ..................................................... Francesco Poli . GnuPG key fpr == C979 F34B 27CE 5CD8 DC12 31B5 78F4 279B DD6D FCF4
Attachment:
pgpLZXOeyNMzq.pgp
Description: PGP signature