Bug#90091: ITP: lame - mp3 encoder
As I understand it, it's only the end-users of encoders (not the writers or
distributors) who are subject to the licensing fee. That said, Pandora is
in the Netherlands, so couldn't the issue be skirted by making the package
non-US/non-free, and pointing the end user towards docs which explain the
situation to them, should the choose to download and use it?
In the end, it looks to me like it's the end user's responsibility here, not
the distributor, and I'd hate to see a package not make it in because The
Debian Project is going to assume that their US and German users are
unwilling to read a disclaimer and act accordingly.
... Adam
-----Original Message-----
From: Josip Rodin [mailto:joy@cibalia.gkvk.hr]
Sent: Sunday, March 18, 2001 8:46 AM
To: Adam Conrad
Cc: 90091@bugs.debian.org; 'Mark Purcell'
Subject: Re: 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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