Re: The Gordian Knot (was Re: Negative Summary of the Split Proposal)
Ean R . Schuessler <ean@novare.net> wrote:
> Removing the non-free software from apt's source list, the mirror network
> and other resources is rather a different question. Shipping apt with a
> non-free-free source list rather defeats its core purpose which is to
> make it easy for users to find the software they want. However, I can see
> your point that it may silently "addict" users to non-free software without
> their knowledge.
Also, as I pointed out earlier today, we probably have a legal obligation
to do so.
non-free consists of software which we have a right to distribute, but
which users aren't guaranteed a right to use. Some non-free packages may
be used by anyone, but other packages are more restricted.
By making it very easy for a user who doesn't have rights to a package
to use such software without informed consent about those rights, we're
technically guilty of contributory infringement.
No one has complained to us about this yet, but that doesn't make it
right.
--
Raul
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