[Mageia-dev] Tainted Software - once more

Thu Apr 14 17:47:26 CEST 2011

On Thu, Apr 14, 2011 at 16:02, Frank Griffin <ftg at roadrunner.com> wrote:
+> On 04/14/2011 07:28 AM, Tux99 wrote:
+>>
+>> Does anyone know what the status of the buildsystem with regards to
+>> building dual core/tainted packages from a single source rpm is?
+
+Not done yet. It's in sysadmin team's TODO (the usual "sysadmin team
+members welcomes people to help" is still valid).
+
+> And to re-ask a related question that was never resolved: is "tainted"
+> supposed to be a replacement for PLF, or will PLF still be required for
+> those who want/need packages with legal limitations ?
+
+We still need to improve on that yes (would it be only for Tier2
+mirrors). To be discussed at the next Council?
+
+Anyway, there's no general rule for that, further than: what goes here is:
+ - what is either free software or not (could go in core or nonfree),
+ - but that may not be redistributable in some areas (because of
+software patents or other issues).
+
+Defining what is the valid reference area to allow redistribution is
+not done yet, but we can aim at Europe/France (this is where the
+primary mirror is) - the only main threat I can see here is the coming
+European Patent initiative, however I am not sure what stance this one
+will take regarding the possibility of software patents.
+
+That in turn doesn't mean that redistribution of tainted _is_
+forbidden out of this reference area. But it means that software that
+could be forbidden, may be included in tainted.
+
+Others may confirm that this will cover most of what PLF provides
+already - but that there will be some packages left anyway.
+
+For all the rest (stuff we can't, for certain, legally distribute
+within EU/France), you'll need a separate repository Mageia.Org can't
+
+Now, what the precise list of packages in tainted is... depends on
+packagers. See current:
+http://distrib-coffee.ipsl.jussieu.fr/pub/linux/Mageia/distrib/cauldron/i586/media/tainted/release/
+
+However, for sure, there should be a list maintained somewhere of the
+list of software that cannot be added in tainted, and for what reason
+(and what the resolution of it would need to be). So that each request
+for a potential package in tainted gets documented.
+
+Romain
+