Bug#90091: ITP: lame - mp3 encoder
On Sun, Mar 18, 2001 at 08:20:53AM -0700, Adam Conrad wrote:
> > > However, personal and commercial use of compiled versions of LAME (or any
> > > other mp3 encoder) requires a patent license in some countries.
> > >
> > > Which qualifies for non-free in Debian as the patent is only approved in
> > > Germany and USA.
> > >
> > > Personal and commercial use of compiled versions of LAME (or any other mp3
> > > encoder) requires a patent license in some countries.
> >
> > So, you're saying we can actually distribute the sources and binaries, but
> > once someone tries to use it, they need to arrange it with the patent
> > holder? Somehow I don't think that will work. :|
>
> Not all people will have to apply for a patent license to use it, only
> certain people. That should qualify it for non-free, in much the same way
> ssh2 is in non-free because commercial users need to license it.
With ssh2, the redistribution is explicitely allowed by the license, as long
as you're not doing it for profit, which kinda works for Debian. Patents on
ssh2 don't play a major role, it seems.
But with lame, the redistribution is encumbered by patents, which is
worrisome. Putting this in any part of Debian means making every one of our
American and German mirrors redistribute it, and they would explicitely need
a license to do that.
That's my understanding, feel free to correct me if I'm wrong :)
--
Digital Electronic Being Intended for Assassination and Nullification
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