On Tue, Jul 18, 2006 at 04:31:00PM +0200, Goswin von Brederlow wrote: > Wouter Verhelst <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes: > > > On Tue, Jul 18, 2006 at 03:38:32AM -0400, Radu-Cristian FOTESCU wrote: > >> --- Wouter Verhelst <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> a écrit : > >> > the claim that Debian can be downloaded is a simple statement > >> > of fact which just happens to be true as a byproduct of the way > >> > we create Debian, it is not a promise. > >> > >> If I can't trust what I can read on Debian.org, > > > > You can still download Debian for free from the Internet. The fact that > > there is a certain specific DVD release of Debian that you cannot > > download _in that specific form_ does not change this. Even if you can't > > download the DVD as an ISO image, you can still download everything it > > contains from ftp.debian.org and its mirrors. > > > > The website does not say "you can download every conceivable version of > > Debian GNU/Linux for free from the Internet". It says "You can download > > Debian GNU/Linux for free from the Internet", which should be read as > > "There are versions of Debian GNU/Linux that can be downloaded for free > > from the Internet". There is a major difference, and it makes your claim > > (that everyone who makes a customized version of Debian must make it > > available for download) false. > > On the other hand the GPL, and most packages will be GPLed, requires > that source be available in one of three ways: > > 3a) include source > 3b) accompany it with a written offer good for 3 years > 3c) pass through an offer received from upstream > > Since Debian gives no written offer for their packages but does 3a the > option 3c can not be used for anyone building their own debian dvds.
Correct. > So if one does a custom dvd release of debian one must include source > or make and keep it available for 3 years. By that reasoning anyone > distributing only binary images is in breach of the GPL. Err, no. If you distribute binary images with a magazine and have something in that magazine saying "if you want the source write to <address> with a photocopy of this specific text", everything is okay. > My recommendation is to ALWAYS have the option of a source image. If > people don't download/order/pickup the source image along with the > binary one they have only themself to blame. Option 3a of the GPL > should be satisfied by that. True. But that doesn't mean it's the only legal way according to the GPL. Moreover, all that is so completely and totally beside the point I was trying to make that it's funny. The point is that there is nothing wrong with the mere fact that you cannot download a specific DVD image. After all, there's nothing wrong with putting the source packages _on_ that image... -- Fun will now commence -- Seven Of Nine, "Ashes to Ashes", stardate 53679.4 -- To UNSUBSCRIBE, email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with a subject of "unsubscribe". Trouble? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED]
