Brian Cameron writes:
>
> Dan:
>
> > Yes. The Ogle player is planned for implementation as part of Indiana by
> > Dermot McCluskey. He doesn't currently have a target integration, but
> > supports our integration of this now.
>
> The Ogle player is licensed under the GPL. This means that you cannot
> link any any non-free code.
There are at least two completely separate issues here that I think
you're blurring together. If it were true that GPL Ogle couldn't use
a "non-free" library, then it couldn't use the non-GPL libc on S10,
nor could any other GPL code. I've never seen GPL interpreted that
way, and it doesn't sound quite right.
The _separate_ issue is the patent one. GPL requires you to include
grants for any patents required to use the software, or GPL just
immolates itself in a fit of pique. If there are such restrictions
that apply to the navigation menus (really?), then that's a real
problem for this project. (And probably the upstream author as well.)
In any event, neither issue is really architectural. These are things
for the project teams to discuss with their lawyers, and make sure
they're doing the Right Things.
An architectural issue would be:
So what's the deal with libdvdnav and libdvdnav2, and which
variant are you really shipping?
> Further, I notice in your OSR (8050) that you didn't highlight any
> patent issues in the Engineering section, question #9. Isn't it fairly
> well known that DVD technologies are heavily encumbered. I would
> think we should be highlighting that a careful look at patents is
> required in a case like this. No?
That's a matter between the project team and their lawyers. It
certainly should _NOT_ be discussed on an open list like this. Please
stop here.
--
James Carlson, Solaris Networking <james.d.carlson at sun.com>
Sun Microsystems / 35 Network Drive 71.232W Vox +1 781 442 2084
MS UBUR02-212 / Burlington MA 01803-2757 42.496N Fax +1 781 442 1677
