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

Wed Oct 13 15:47:00 CEST 2010

On 13 October 2010 15:34, Olivier Méjean <omejean at yahoo.fr> wrote:
+> 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)
+>
+
+There's a difference between "they can't be sued out of their homes"
+and "they can be sued, just no one's done it yet". As with any legal
+issues, it's always a CYA situation.
+
+>>
+>> > 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 we want to ask users to add 3rd party repos, then 3rd party repos
+are already a part of this discussion.
+
+-- 
+Ahmad Samir
+