Re: [Vectorlinux-devel] GPL Issues surrounding Mepis and the can of worms he opened.

[Sriram D. <sri...@gm...>]

I found this on a slashdot discussion. thought it is relevant to what we are
discussing here. also mepis is in the clear now!!
http://linux.slashdot.org/comments.pl?sid=192928&cid=15834367
cheers
ram
On 7/7/06, Sriram Durbha <sri...@gm...> wrote:
>
> OK here is the situation.
>  There are some components, like binary codecs, windoze wireless drivers,
> gfx drivers,  which are not safe to use for distribution.
> VL will continue to remain a useful OS without those components also.
> Ubuntu does not come with a codec pack by default either, we have to
> follow a customization guide or follow the EasyBuntu guide.
> So we can follow that approach and be safe.
>
> Also Should some crackpot decide to sue , they can only sue the DISTRO ..
> as an organization, not us as individuals.
> Even If it does come to the individuals.. We can clearly identify who will
> be responsible to take the blame.   And we dont have to be on that list if
> we dont want to.
>
> For example, if you create the VL6Base, and Kocil creates the new
> installer/packaging system.  You two are in no way responsible for the
> binary drivers getting to teh end user.
>
> If i make the final ISO with the binary drivers, if some one sues, they
> have to sue me. not you or Kocil;
> This way, we can proceed with the distro.
>
> Personally im not in VL for financial benefit.  I dont mind being on the
> line to be sued either. Becasue im going to take precautions to make sure i
> cannot be sued. Atleast that way those who only do development work need not
> worry.
>
> putting it on a public repository is not the same as distribution.
>
> cheers
> ram
>
>
>
>
>
>
> On 7/7/06, hanumizzle < han...@gm...> wrote:
> >
> > On 7/6/06, Tony Brijeski < tb...@gm...> wrote:
> > > Yes but Novell, Redhat, and the other bigger ones can afford to find
> > out in
> > > court - I can't and won't.
> > >
> > > As soon as we "distribute" it to the VL repo, we are in the same boat
> > as any
> > > other commercial distro and are liable for the same reason.
> >
> > All the IP problems you've identified so far are not inherent problems
> > of the distro, just particular pieces of software. I think it would be
> > a bit of a pain to download the w32 dll codecs separately, but I am
> > certain those who appreciate this distro are willing to put in that
> > effort to stay legal.
> >
> > > Sadly, it has become a mess.  Not only are we attacked from the
> > outside but
> > > the kernel devs now.  If this all unfolds as it is starting to, linux
> > will
> > > be locked in to strictly be a server OS and that is where the money is
> > > anyway so I'm not sure the paid kernel devs really care since that is
> > what
> > > is driving linux on a larger scale.
> >
> > On a larger scale for now.
> >
> > > Even consultation with a lawyer doesn't prevent legal actions from
> > being
> > > started and then you must defend yourself.
> >
> > I think they would probably issue a cease and desist first.
> >
> > > Just look at the whole IBM/SCO fiasco.
> >
> > SCO are a joke.
> >
> > > The negatives now outweigh the positives.  Those of you that reside
> > outside
> > > the US and Canada are pretty much immune to all of this but for those
> > of us
> > > that live here, the threat is a real possibility.
> >
> > What weight do US software patent laws hold in Canada? I will be
> > seeking expatriation myself, somewhere where this idiocy does not
> > prevail. So all the loser goth kids who went to high school with me --
> > and software patent holders -- can both munch on a bowl of my ...
> > while I drink lassi and shoot the shiznit on IRC.
> >
> > > I predict that if SCO is
> > > even minutely successful against IBM, there will be a whole slew of
> > new
> > > lawsuits coming and look how long the IBM/SCO lawsuit has been going
> > on.
> >
> > They've consistently lost up to this point, and made complete asses
> > out of themselves.
> >
> > --
> > Remember that time Thotsakan punched Neil Bush in the dick?
> >
> > Using Tomcat but need to do more? Need to support web services,
> > security?
> > Get stuff done quickly with pre-integrated technology to make your job
> > easier
> > Download IBM WebSphere Application Server v.1.0.1 based on Apache
> > Geronimo
> > http://sel.as-us.falkag.net/sel?cmd=lnk&kid=120709&bid=263057&dat=121642
> >
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> >
>
>