Jim Ramsay wrote:
2.5.1 You may not modify, adapt, translate or create derivative works
based upon the Software. You may not reverse engineer, decompile,
disassemble or otherwise attempt to discover the source code of the
Software...
Anyone care to weigh in, lawyer or not?
Obviously I'm not a lawyer but I don't see an issue here. I don't see
that Gentoo or its developers are in any way a party to this agreement.
This is an agreement between Adobe and those who distribute its
software. Some argue that EULAs also apply to those who use software
(which is debatable), but Gentoo does not use this software either (to
my knowledge).
Gentoo distributes ebuilds - which are not the property of Adobe and are
not derivative works of any of Adobe's software. A user who executes an
ebuild might obtain a copy of an Adobe product that Adobe distributes.
A user who executes an ebuild might create a derivative work of an Adobe
product, and users who use proprietary software are advised to consult
with lawyers as appropriate if they are concerned about the terms of
license agreements that they may or may not be parties to.
To me this is kind of like RiffTrax or similar along-side products that
allow users to improve the experience of using a copyrighted work, but
which are not themselves derivatives of copyrighted works. If a user
using one of these products happens to create a derivative work that is
a matter between them and the copyright owner. If such work is
occurring without further distribution in an end-user context it is
likely to be considered fair use.
Gentoo doesn't distribute software (well, except to the degree that we
mirror it). Gentoo makes it easier for users to use software that
others distribute. As a result, Gentoo stays fairly clear of copyright
law, and we do make a good-faith effort to not mirror content which we
are not licensed to redistribute.
That is my personal take on things like this, but again, I'm not a
lawyer and others might not agree (makes no difference to me one way or
another if you don't). :)
