Seems like someone has understood something about patents. According to the Rijndael spec, the algorithm is not patented. Specifically, section 1 of the spec says:
Rijndael or any of its implementations is not and will not be subject to patents.
This should enable Free Software and Open Source Software projects to use the algorithm, and it seems some do already (like GnuPG). It would be interesting to know if the working group has considered patent issues when selecting an encryption algorithm for AES.
I'd get a lawyer to discuss this with immediately. Explain your goals and show them the GPL and LGPL. Ask what your options are. Ask them about dual-licencing. They'll give you the legal answers you need.
At the same time, keep this in mind (you wrote, and I quote):
"Free" means that the specification of the stream format is in the public domain...
[1]
Does this mean someone could read the specs and make their own implementation without any licensing issues at all? Perhaps this would be a good solution - you could provide consultation for a fee and get some money for your work...
FLAC should be and stay an open format. The source code is all either LGPL'd or GPL'd.
[2]
If those things are important to you, you'll work out solutions that allow both the format to be used widely in commercial products, while retaining the requirements of the [L]GPL.
Have you considered talking to the people interested in using FLAC in their products, or are just just listening to people who speak hypotethically? Who says the LGPL isn't fine for them?
Not being religiously fanatic about IPF or anything related to this incident, it's hard not to react to the extremely hostile mood that has been the result.
Is the pressure in the Open Source/Free Software/whatever meritocracy developing this hostility? Suddenly, it doesn't seem to be about writing good software - it's about showing your might and power so that you may speak with the Money that has entered the building...
I have a Fast AV Master too, and I've been looking for ways to make it work in Linux ever since I got it. Win95 is too unstable, and the WinNT driver doesn't provide an on-screen preview. A command-line tool for capturing the video to disk in Linux would be just perfect. Does anyone have any information whatsoever about making this card work in Linux (probably under video4linux?)? Maybe somebody is interested in writing a driver?
All right, this was funny - but you should've checked some things first:
I doubt that Linus would move to Moscow with his dad, especially at this time when his dad isn't even in Moscow. He's taking care of his other kids at home in Finland. He'll be back in Moscow soon though.
The Russian climate is different from the Finnish one. Finland generally has warmer winters, especially in the south where Linus would be.
So, you should've written that Linus has finally given up his golden rule not to participate in politics and has now gone to Russia to study the remnants of the commie Soviet Union. Also, you might've thrown in a note about RMS accompanying him. Keep that in mind for next year...;) Fabbe
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Seems like someone has understood something about patents. According to the Rijndael spec, the algorithm is not patented. Specifically, section 1 of the spec says:
Rijndael or any of its implementations is not and will not be subject to patents.
This should enable Free Software and Open Source Software projects to use the algorithm, and it seems some do already (like GnuPG). It would be interesting to know if the working group has considered patent issues when selecting an encryption algorithm for AES.
I'd get a lawyer to discuss this with immediately. Explain your goals and show them the GPL and LGPL. Ask what your options are. Ask them about dual-licencing. They'll give you the legal answers you need.
At the same time, keep this in mind (you wrote, and I quote):
Does this mean someone could read the specs and make their own implementation without any licensing issues at all? Perhaps this would be a good solution - you could provide consultation for a fee and get some money for your work...
If those things are important to you, you'll work out solutions that allow both the format to be used widely in commercial products, while retaining the requirements of the [L]GPL.
Have you considered talking to the people interested in using FLAC in their products, or are just just listening to people who speak hypotethically? Who says the LGPL isn't fine for them?
Not being religiously fanatic about IPF or anything related to this incident, it's hard not to react to the extremely hostile mood that has been the result.
Is the pressure in the Open Source/Free Software/whatever meritocracy developing this hostility? Suddenly, it doesn't seem to be about writing good software - it's about showing your might and power so that you may speak with the Money that has entered the building...
I have a Fast AV Master too, and I've been looking for ways to make it work in Linux ever since I got it. Win95 is too unstable, and the WinNT driver doesn't provide an on-screen preview. A command-line tool for capturing the video to disk in Linux would be just perfect.
Does anyone have any information whatsoever about making this card work in Linux (probably under video4linux?)? Maybe somebody is interested in writing a driver?
- I doubt that Linus would move to Moscow with his dad, especially at this time when his dad isn't even in Moscow. He's taking care of his other kids at home in Finland. He'll be back in Moscow soon though.
- The Russian climate is different from the Finnish one. Finland generally has warmer winters, especially in the south where Linus would be.
So, you should've written that Linus has finally given up his golden rule not to participate in politics and has now gone to Russia to study the remnants of the commie Soviet Union. Also, you might've thrown in a note about RMS accompanying him. Keep that in mind for next year...