Bug#197053: ITP: stk -- C++ classes for audio digital signal processing

[Adam Majer <adamm@galacticasoftware.com>]

"Unlucky"? I think it is rather a good thing. Using patented
algoritms and distributing the software that uses them, can 
bring on lawsuits. A lawsuit can bring down a distribution like
Debian.

If you wish to use the software, that's fine by me. People
may use lame (under GPL) to encode MP3s, etc.. But they are required to 
pay a fee to the patent holders of MP3 algorithm. It also
means that Debian _cannot_ distribute lame in main nor non-US.

- Adam


On Fri, Jun 13, 2003 at 11:36:57AM +0200, guenter geiger wrote:
> 
> Hi,
> 
> I think I will bring up the topic on "legal" (later, going to be with
> limited net access the next week). I definitely want it to
> be in main, I think there are lots of packages with patent problems in
> main, it is just unlucky that in this case the author clearly states
> it.
> Anyhow, I might search through  the package and split it in free an
> non-free.
> 
> Thanks,
> Guenter
> 
> 
> 
> On Thu, 12 Jun 2003, Adam Majer wrote:
> > On Wed, Jun 11, 2003 at 07:06:20PM +0200, Guenter Geiger (Debian/GNU) wrote:
> > > Package: wnpp
> > > Version: unavailable; reported 2003-06-11
> > > Severity: wishlist
> > >
> > > * Package name    : stk
> > >   Version         : 4.1.1
> > >   Upstream Author : Perry R. Cook
> > > * URL             : http://www-ccrma.stanford.edu/software/stk/
> > > * License         : see below
> > >   Description     : C++ classes for audio digital signal processing
> > >
> > > The license might be problematic though:
> > >
> > > If you make a million dollars with it, give us some.  If you make
> > > compositions with it, put us in the program notes.
> > >
> > > Some of the concepts are covered by various patents, some known to us and
> > > likely others which are unknown.  Many of the ones known to us are
> >
> > I think this should go into non-free at best. Or even better,
> > non-free/non-US. Unless some of these patents apply incountries
> > other than US. For example, MP3 encoders cannot be included in
> > Debian at all because of the patent problems.
> >
> > - Adam
> >