On Mon, 2012-01-23 at 23:32 +0100, Pascal Bleser wrote:
My personal opinion on this, which I believe is rather qualified, is that it is *NOT* possible to build an openSUSE spin with SUSE Studio that contains packages that potentially infringe on software patents, for the simple reason that no somewhat larger business would want to take the risk to host it on its infrastructure (specifically, the risk of being sued for distributing software that uses patented algorithms without paying royalties for the right of using them).
If it was okay to have openSUSE spins that include such packages on SUSE Studio, then it would also be okay to package those packages on build.opensuse.org. And it isn't.
IANAL, but I'm pretty sure that's accurate.
I think you've done a good job of summarizing the issues and I think your opinion is a pretty solid one. But the question is still begged as to whether this is truly something to stop us from moving forward with a music distro. SUSE Studio *does* include the Packman repo. Surely such risks must have been taken into consideration. (or maybe it wasn't.) Maybe Studio guys figured it was okay to use Packman, but only if you don't make it publicly available via the Gallery? Or only if the builder makes sure to not include patent-infringing packages regardless of public or private consumption. (But how does the average builder know which package is "verboten"?) I guess, given the current constraints, we would also have to warn our own community not to distribute CDs of the new "openSUSE Music" spin at events in the United States or other similarly-challenged countries. I'm becoming more and more curious to hear how these are worked around and what discussions come up during the Linux Audio Conference in California. Luckily, our very own Peter Linnell (MrDocs) is planning to attend this conference and share details with us. In the meantime, I'd like to hear from a SUSE Studio guy who has reviewed/addressed the potential complications and hear what SUSE Studio determined is allowable/dis-allowable. Hopefully someone will chime in soon. Bryen M Yunashko -- To unsubscribe, e-mail: opensuse-project+unsubscribe@opensuse.org To contact the owner, email: opensuse-project+owner@opensuse.org