Re: [Fsfe-uk] feedback: Messaging Client - GAIM

[MJ Ray]

On 2004-01-11 22:45:08 +0000 Martyn <address@hidden> wrote:

> ** Yahoo! webcams (not enhanced - this has still not been 
> reimplemented) use 
> patented JPEG-2000 format - this is a big problem, so the code is 
> there to 
> use libjasper, but if you have issues with using patented algos, 
> don't 
> install libjasper, and the resultant binary has no dependance upon 
> the 
> patent-encumbered code.

I think it's a problem if you want to avoid things that aren't free 
software because of copyright licensing, regardless of patent 
problems. JasPer's JPEG-2000 codec licence has a nasty term in it, 
saying that derived works can only be used to implement that standard. 
I think that stops it being free software, restricting your 
modifications. There's more discussion on debian-legal about that in 
the last month and I'd be surprised if FSF disagreed with that. 
http://lists.debian.org/ E&OE.

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