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

Ahmad Samir ahmadsamir3891 at gmail.com
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


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