[Mageia-dev] [RFC] move cairo-dock to tainted because of trademark/patent issues

Thu Nov 10 12:08:06 CET 2011

On Thu, 10 Nov 2011, blind Pete wrote:
+
+> 
+> You guys *really* need to talk to a lawyer.  Then when you know 
+> how things work you will be able to make sensible decisions.  
+
+If you have anything interesting to say, just say it, no need to add
+things like "You guys *really* need to talk to a lawyer". Especially
+when the rest of you email shows that you don't actually have anything
+useful to say that we already know. People interested in patents probably
+already read this document (already posted on this list), which has much
+more useful and accurate informations than your email (without the
+condescending tone), prepared by real lawyers :
+http://www.debian.org/reports/patent-faq
+
+> > Yes, I do have one, I think we agreed that tainted was for enforced
+> > patents, or those that would likely be enforced. While the definition is
+> > fuzzy, I doubt that the patent will be enforced, mainly because it is
+> > weak, 
+> 
+> Patented?  That would stop me SELLING stuff, if someone has a valid 
+> patent in my jurisdiction, but if I am not selling then all patents 
+> are irrelevant.  Check this with a local professional!  
+
+Maybe you should do what you say and talk to a lawyer. You don't need
+to sell anything to be attacked for patent infringement, or inducing
+infringement (according to the document from lawyers at the Software
+Freedom Law Center). It's just that you are a more attractive target if
+you're making a lot of money.
+
+But the tainted repository is not here to protect Mageia, because Mageia
+is distributing it anyway. The goal of the tainted repository is to help
+mirror owners (which can be commercial companies) or users or people
+selling stuff based on Mageia, who want to limit their legal risks by
+avoiding the more risky software.
+
+