2009/9/10 Pascal GREGIS <[email protected]>: > Hello, > > I am working in a company selling a product based on Linux with some > applications whose code belongs to us. > Currently the product is based on a Linux From Scratch and we are willing to > turn to Debian for the next generation of products. To take entire benefit of > the Debian system, we would like to package everything including our > proprietary applications. > > I still have a little doubt about it because I don't find the explicit proof > that packaging a software in .deb form doesn't require it to be distributed, > at least in binary format. > > The chapter 2.3 of the debian policy manual says : > "Packages whose copyright permission notices (or patent problems) do not even > allow redistribution of binaries only, and where no special permission has > been obtained, must not be placed on the Debian FTP site and its mirrors at > all." > > This makes me understand that it is possible to package softwares with > incompatible licenses, (it's just not possible to place them on Debian > mirrors, but our need is not to do so), but it doesn't tell me if the use of > the .deb format obliges the package to be distributed. > > Well, I think I know the answer : the only fact of packaging is not like > using code under a free license and in this case won't require to respect the > terms of the GPL for our own softwares, but if I could have a confirmation of > this, it would be nice. > > Thank you in advance > > Pascal >
Debian Policy is something Debian Developers and Maintainers follow for packages which are included in the official releases of Debian. .deb package format imposes no restrictions on licensing or distribution. A deb package is just an "ar" archive with a file layout which is used by dpkg. Many companies publish software software in deb format. Eg. Adobe, Skype and others. -- With best regards Dmitrijs Ledkovs (for short Dima), Ледков Дмитрий Юрьевич -- To UNSUBSCRIBE, email to [email protected] with a subject of "unsubscribe". Trouble? Contact [email protected]
