Suraj wrote:
>However, one fine point
>drives people away (or even against!) the hard stand on the use of
>certain words like "piracy" or.. err... "Linux".
Piracy is a well known concept in International Law, that dates back to
time immemorial, ever since pirates and nations existed and even
assuming that software development started earnestly since the times of
Charles Babbage, `copyrights' for literature including computer programs
came in much later and it is really untenable to use the expression
`piracy' in matters relating to mere `copyright infrigements'. Legally,
there is an ocean of difference between the two - to give another
analogy one cannot deal with theft and murder like they were one and the
same. srs specifically asked for the information, and my duty ends with
sharing what I know in this regard.
The `piracy' analogy could be used another way also - proprietary
software concerns that threaten people with: `pay up license fees, or
else...' sound more like the real pirates on the high seas who hold
people to ransom and live life by striking terror. It is best to leave
`piracy' to where it belongs - on the high seas. Therefore, whatever it
means, we can say, "avoid the pirates - use free software !"
I have always felt that proprietary concerns can do a great favour by
dealing severly with those who deal with or use computer programs
without a proper license - there will a mass exodus over night, and many
members of this list will suddenly find themselves doing good business
and become more affluent :)
>I'm still an avid
>free software supporter.. and believe me (or ask the older folks here
>on this list :) ) I used to be a major "call it only gnu/linux" guy.
>I learnt it the hard way that this linux-vs-gnu-linux flaming drives
>people crazy and against the free software movement. (as in people go
>around calling gnu-related people as zealots, etc.,.)
>
>Nobody can deny the genius of RMS. Nobody can deny the wonderful
>contribution of the Free Software Movement, BUT, not giving the users
>the comfort of calling it "Linux" or using the word "Piracy" makes
>Free Software Enthusiasts smell pungent.
>
>
Requesting people to voluntarily use right terminology, in their own
interest, is not really too much. Free Software enthusiasts are like a
bunch of roses - and all are free and welcome enjoy the sweet fragrance ;)
>But thats just my view. I'm sure many "pure" GNU heads might not be
>convinced about this all... :) and lets not flame, please :)
>
I have taken the time to reply only because srs, who promptly answers
several questions in this list asked something, and it would be a shame
to knowingly not send in a correct answer.
>,----
>| Our Copyright Act deals only with `copyright infringement'. Piracy
>| refers to grave offences committed on the High Seas by pirates.
>`----
>
>This is an extreme rendition of piracy - just as how "freeing software
>users" sounds. When applied to India,
>
I kindly request that the issue be understood in the correct
perspective, because it would make a significant difference in disputes
that are likely to come in the future. It is best to avoid confusing
copyright infringement with piracy and best to simply use the
appropriate proper terminology. Recently toufeeq@xxxxxxxxxxxx wrote:
<quote>
Running on Fedora Core 1 has anyone managaed to get
MP3 playback into Rythmbox.I think it has been removed
by Red Hat to prevent any license problems.
There was a patch for Xmms which enabled it to play
mp3's anything similar to Rythmbox?
</quote>
mp3 files comply with the MPEG-3 coding standard, which is reportedly
`patented'. In India, the Patents Act has specifically excluded
computer programs, schemes, algorithms, and presentation of information
from the definition of inventions and the MPEG coding standards would
have to be treated only as a literary work that could be protected by
copyright, which will enable fair use by others. Conceding MPEG to be
an invention capable of being patented would be truly absurd, and is
neither permissible nor possible. Coding standards cannot be patented as
though they are inventions. Imagine what would happen if I claim that
I have researched for 5 years, and found that an indent 4 spaces wide
[please read 4 as 8 if you use linux coding standards] is the most
efficient indent spacing and have a patent registered in my favour. If
you indent with 4 spaces while writing a computer program, I can start
harassing you with various claims and some people may even lend support
to me calling you a `pirate' for using my `patent' without getting my
permission. Regardless of the claims made by the authors, we need to be
careful in using the right legal terminology, which alone will
ultimately define our rights and privileges as users and developers of
software. Therefore, using correct terminology is both important and
useful.
>I dont think "freedom to users"
>is as serious an issue as Illiteracy, Bad Media or Poverty. (and I
>probably already mentioned this in an offlist discussion to you :)
>). I donot say free software is unimportant. Having software that
>students can study / hack on is very useful. But its not
>"vital". Thats all I have to say.
>
Having a rock solid free and open operating system is the first step -
and after years of development efforts we now have the linux kernel, gnu
compiler collection, database servers, web servers, and many other
tools. The next stept would definitely be to use these free tools to
solve other problems including the ones you have listed. There are
several mailing lists [mostly running GNU Mailman] discussing the other
issues - and it is really only a question of time before which we will
live in a society where all are literate, good and affluent, and I won't
be surprised if in the near future free software moves people from earth
to the fartherest edges of the cosmos as we know it :)
[Oh, and even then the linux vs gnu/linux debate might be cropping up
every now and then]
Cheers!
Ramanraj.
