Hi Guys,
This has been discussed before and I have stated the same back then.
Below the SIFT license:
====
Notice: The SIFT algorithm is restricted by patents in the United
States and hence this software is not completely free to use. For
details see the LICENSE file included in the distribution,
before you start to use this software.
The University of British Columbia has applied for a patent on
the SIFT algorithm in the United States. Commercial
applications of this software may require a license from the
University of British Columbia.
====
It very specifically states "*Commercial* *applications* of this
software...". I've been in contact with one of the developers (months back)
and that commercial statement is exactly what matters. Non-commercial
applications (use of), whether or not within other non-commercial
applications (software and/or use of ) also in non-commercial applications
(again use of), are also free in the USA.
The term applications (use of) and applications (software) makes it a bit
unclear, but the license as such is clear enough.
So, please use the license accordingly. It is perfectly OK to include the
software (and license) with Hugin as long as we (the packagers) state that
it is only allowed to use it on a non-commercial basis in the USA and that
we are not liable in case end users do not act according the license, e.g.
use it commercially. (Like we are not liable if we hire cars to customers
and the customers drive to fast with it).
Packaging could then take places as Yuv did (but with a little twist):
- deliver a full package for: a. non-commercial users in the USA
b. both non-commercial and commercial
users in the rest of the world
- deliver a "non CP" package for commercial users in the USA.
And yes: a completely free CP generator / matcher would be the ideal
solution as this would also broaden the use of Hugin for commercial use also
in the USA. As restricted by the license: Currently Hugin can only be used
commercially without a CP generator / matcher.
Hoi,
Harry
2008/10/22 Guido Kohlmeyer <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
>
> Dear Ippei and Yuv,
>
> as Yuv already explained, the current installer has autopano-sift
> included, but it is possible to exclude it during installation process
> (selection of custom install, and deselecting of autopano-sift).
>
> As noted in the output of autopano-sift, the usage seems to be prohibited
> in the U.S.A. Additional the autopano-sift component has a note in the
> installer.
>
> I guess this is sufficient to point-out, that it should not be used in the
> U.S.A.
>
> If another kind of installation would be necessary, give me a note.
>
> Guido
>
> >
> > Ippei UKAI wrote:
> >> Just a quick question to the Windows users: how is the autopano-sift
> >> available for Windows? Is it included in the package and asked during
> >> install, or available separately somewhere else?
> >
> > short answer: included in the package (0.7.0 release).
> >
> > long answer:
> >
> > I had made provision for an installer with all CP generators and one for
> > an installer without CP generators
> >
> > <
> http://hugin.svn.sourceforge.net/viewvc/hugin/hugin/trunk/platforms/windows/installer/hugin.iss?revision=3024&view=markup
> >
> > <
> http://hugin.svn.sourceforge.net/viewvc/hugin/hugin/trunk/platforms/windows/installer/hugin_no_patents.iss?revision=3199&view=markup
> >
> >
> > The main reason for the two installers is patent compliance.
> >
> > I had used the full installer for my snapshot builds as they are for
> > educational purpose only and are not built in or distributed from the
> USA.
> >
> > I used the no_patents installer for distribution builds, e.g. the ones
> > that are shipped with Nodal Ninja.
> >
> > The intention was to add match-n-shift once we have a 100% SIFT-free
> > solution, and ship it all in one package. But I like your idea of a
> > pluggable architecture in OSX (although I have not had access to a Mac
> > to see it in action yet).
> >
> > Yuv
> >
> > >
> >
>
>
>
> >
>
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