On Sunday 22 May 2005 2:51 pm, Andreas Fester wrote: > > The library, I'd like to package is FMOD (fmod.org), and it's a > > "proprietary" library, it's free to use in a non-commercial software.
Can't be done. Debian is commercial - the GPL expressly requires that software CAN be sold for a price. It doesn't have to be sold for a price, but it MUST be ALLOWED. > I had a look into it; since they only seem to provide the library in > binary format, this changes some things significantly: The library > itself can only go in the non-free section of debian, and since > your package depends on it it can only go in the contrib section > of debian. Please read Chapter 4.6.1 of the Debian Developers > Reference. I agree. Your program is not compliant with the Debian Free Software Guidelines. I don't see how it could be accepted into any part of Debian. The source code is only available if you purchase a commercial licence at $1,000 per licence! (That does *not* even include payments for using patented MP3!) There are plenty of libraries already in GNU/Linux Debian that are GPL compatible (if not GPL or LGPL themselves) *and* which are not encumbered by patents on MP3. Use Ogg Vorbis instead. There's no need to rewrite FMOD, it's completely redundant. Use an existing library - maybe one that is already used by Amarok, XMMS, Xine, Totem or any of the other packages of a similar ilk. You *cannot* release your program under the GPL if you link to FMOD! You made a BAD choice of library and you'll have to start again with a usable library. There are a large number of packages like yours - you won't stand a chance of finding users if you stick with restrictive licences like FMOD. Why should anyone even look at non-free or contrib packages when so many free packages can perform comprehensive audio performance? -- Neil Williams ============= http://www.data-freedom.org/ http://www.nosoftwarepatents.com/ http://www.linux.codehelp.co.uk/
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