Bug#298763: [Resend] Skype Integration into Debian
Hi,
I'm takeing care about uploading skype into the official Debian
repository. There are some difficulties with the license terms left we
have to discuss.
1. Skype End User License Agreement
"2.3 No Modifications. You will not undertake, cause, permit or
authorize the modification [...] Skype Software."
-->We will not modify the Skype program, but we may fix its menu entries
in the desktop environment according to the location where Skype is
installed in the filesystem. I guess, you have nothing against that.
"2.5 [...] Furthermore, you acknowledge and agree that Skype, in its
sole discretion, may modify or discontinue or suspend Your ability to
use any version of the Skype Software, or terminate any license
hereunder, at any time. [...]"
-->We cannot guarantee that. Once a particular Debian version is
released, cdrom images are made and we cannot remove it from the already
distributed images.
"3.2.2 You will constantly monitor the Skype Website in order to ensure
that You are distributing the latest stable version of the Skype
Software as well as that You are aware of any changes in the applicable
legal documents. [...]"
-->We cannot guarantee that. Same as with 2.5 above, we cannot modify
already released Debian versions. For the development branches
(testing/unstable), we cannot guarantee it as well, but we will do our
best. For already released versions of Debian (stable), it is a
technical problem - for development branches (testing/unstable), it is
not a technical but a legal problem.
"8.1 Term. This Agreement will be effective as of the Effective Date and
will remain effective until terminated by either Skype or You as set
forth below."
-->See comment to 2.5.
"8.2 Termination by Skype. Skype may terminate this Agreement at any
time, with or without cause, by providing notice to You and/or by
preventing Your access to the Skype Software, as set forth in Article
2.5 above."
-->See comment to 2.5.
"12.1 New versions of the Agreement. Skype reserves the right to modify
this Agreement at any time by providing such revised Agreement to You or
by publishing the revised Agreement on the Skype Website. Your continued
use of the Skype Software shall constitute Your acceptance to be bound
by the terms and conditions of the revised Agreement."
-->See comment to 2.5.
2. Distribution Terms
"[...] By sending such email, You explicitly agree to be bound by the
Distribution Terms below as well as any renewed versions thereof as well
as the Skype Promotional Materials Terms and any renewed versions
thereof, as will be published on the Skype Website. [...]"
-->See comment to 2.5 of the Skype End User License Agreement.
"[...] Skype reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to deny your
request to distribute the Software. [...]"
-->See comment to 2.5 of the Skype End User License Agreement.
"3. You will constantly monitor the Skype Website in order to ensure
that You are distributing the latest stable version of the Skype
Software as well as that You are aware of any changes in the applicable
legal documents. [...]"
-->Same as 3.2.2. of the Skype End User License Agreement.
"4. You will at any and all times clearly indicate that the Skype
Software originates from Skype, by using the Skype Promotional Materials
strictly in accordance with the Skype Promotional Materials Terms as
published on the Skype Website. If published on a website, You will also
need to include the hyperlinks to the Skype Website and a link to the
download location of the Skype Software."
-->Every Debian package has a file 'copyright' installed in
/usr/share/doc/$package_name/. In this file, the license terms and the
origin of the package are cleary listed. Except the informations given
in the copyright-file, we cannot include any of the promotional
materials to our websites, nor to the bug-tracking sites of the Skype
package, nor adding links to the mentioned sites.
Summary
=======
What we need:
* Permission to modify files *around* the Skype program (desktop
menu-entries).
* A non-revokable license to every particular versions of Skype:
- without beeing forced to upgrade to a newer version than which we
optained before.
- without beeing forced to upgrade to a newer license-version than
which we optained before with the particular version of Skype.
- without beeing forced to place banners or links to our websites.
Note: This permissions can be restricted to the Debian project solely,
if you don't want to give the same permissions to every Skype
user/distributor.
I'm looking forward to hear from you, so we can integrate Skype soon
into Debian and offer Skype in an easy way to all of our users.
Kind regards,
Daniel Baumann
PS: Interim packages are still available from
http://archive.daniel-baumann.ch/debian/packages/skype/. Feel free to
have a look at those packages. Except from the permission to upload
those into Debian, they are ready.
--
Address: Daniel Baumann, Burgunderstrasse 3, CH-4562 Biberist
Email: daniel.baumann@panthera-systems.net
Internet: http://people.panthera-systems.net/~daniel-baumann/
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