[Mageia-dev] Mageia repository sections, licenses, restrictions, firmware etc

Wed Oct 13 15:34:46 CEST 2010

Le mercredi 13 octobre 2010 10:19:17, Buchan Milne a écrit :
+> On Tuesday, 12 October 2010 17:52:58 Tux99 wrote:
+> > Quote: marc wrote on Tue, 12 October 2010 18:42
+> > 
+> > > Unfortunately, if this is done, I will no longer be able to install
+> > > legally any Mageia due to our laws. I think it is best if these are not
+> > > 
+> > > installed but let users know where to get them, mostly through PLF.
+> > 
+> > How do you expect Mageia to verify each single package to make sure it
+> > complies with the laws in ALL countries of the world?
+> 
+> So, because we can't comply with all laws in all coutnries, we should
+> violate everyone we possibly can?
+
+Because we can't be aware of all laws in all countries, we should do nothing ? 
+(after all that's the best way to break no law at all !)
+
+> 
+> > Mageia should make sure that the packages comply with French law, but
+> > that's it.
+> 
+> If Mageia wants mirrors in countries with strong IP protection laws
+> (including copyright, software patent) and anti-circumvention laws, then
+> IMHO, there does need to be a split, so mirror maintainers can decide
+> which risks they can accept.
+> 
+> For example, in the DMCA case, I believe US mirrors hosting libdvdcss could
+> be vulnerable.
+
+There are mirrors of plf in USA, there is at least one mirror of ArchLinux in 
+USA that provides libdvdcss, there is at least one mirror of Linux Mint in the 
+USA that provides libdvdcss, there is PCLinuxOS based in USA (Texas ?) that 
+provides libdvdcss
+
+VLC is available in USA to download (cnet.com) and VLC provides its own lib 
+for decoding (and coding) multimedia files (and from what i know, windows 
+binaries come with libdvdcss)
+
+> 
+> > You can still install Mageia and then remove the packages that are
+> > problematic in your country, I very much doubt your laws are that
+> > draconian that you can't even do that.
+> > Mageia could include an option during install to exclude the well-known
+> > problematic packages from installation to make this easier for people
+> > that live in countries with restrictive laws.
+> > 
+> > > When I install Mandriva Free for people, I will let them know where the
+> > > 
+> > > PLF repos are and the files needed and they install these themselves.
+> > 
+> > This is a major hassle for new/inexperienced users and IMHO should be
+> > avoided.
+> 
+> Maybe it can be improved *to some extent*, by asking the user if they want
+> to add additional repositories.
+
+We cannot ask users to add third-part repos. We have discussing about Mageia 
+repos, policies of third-part repos should not be in our discussion.
+
+> 
+> > > If Mageia packages include unlicensed software and codecs, the Mageia
+> > > brand may be held legally responsible for marketing software in
+> > > countries where the laws do not permit this.
+> > 
+> > This is nonsense, Mageia can only be held responsible in France based on
+> > French law (as long as Mageia isn't planning subsidiaries in outher
+> > countries, which IMHO is unlikely and completely unnecessary for a
+> > non-profit association).
+> 
+> Anssi discussed various reasons packages aren't in Main or Contrib in
+> Mandriva, and you devolve this discussion to be purely about software
+> patents. However, the issues are:
+> 
+> -non-free software for which we have no re-distribution license (e.g.
+> Flash, we may be able to request a license, but most likely it would not
+> allow Mageia to distribute a distribution license to 3rd parties -
+> specifically mirrors).
+
+The question of non-free softwares is simple. Either Mageia can add them on a 
+non-free repos, either it cannot.
+
+The problem is around free softwares (free as free speech) that may violate IP 
+and that is depending of local laws. There are also free softwares that may 
+violate local laws (cryptography, rules for exportation for example). About 
+the latter question, OpenBSD is established in Canada to avoid some US rules 
+about exportation
+
+> 
+> Regards,
+> Buchan
+
+Olivier
+