[sldev] Distribution of openjpeg

[Jason Giglio]

Tom 'spot' Callaway wrote:
> On Tue, 2007-02-06 at 21:03 -0800, Rob Lanphier wrote:
> 
>> The policy says "significant functional changes".  I am assuming that
>> any Red Hat patches would be minor integration issues, such as changing
>> locations for files, but not behavioral changes.  Assuming they maintain
>> a similar policy toward the Second Life viewer as they do with other
>> open source projects that maintain strict trademark guidelines (e.g.
>> Firefox), they should be just fine.
> 
> Yes, right now, we're just patching for the following:
> 
> - file locations
> - using gcc4
> - not using closed source bits
> - not using precompiled libraries


Tom,

Had a brief discussion with Mike Harris on IRC about openjpeg.  I know 
he's not Fedora Leadership, and they would probably be best to consult 
about this, but he said that Red Hat would likely have to run openjpeg 
through an official approval process before it could be included in Fedora.

The issue with openjpeg is the patents.  The numerous applicable patents 
are only licensed freely for an ISO Compliant implementation of 
jpeg2000.  It is for this reason openjpeg is not DFSG compliant, because 
it has encumbrance on the right to modify (into something not ISO 
compliant).

I don't know if openjpeg has ever been through any official vetting for 
ISO compliance or not.  It is something else you will probably need to 
consider.

-Jason