[vtkusers] Re: Packaging vtk: patents

[David Cole]

vtkmpeg2encode has been removed from VTK on CVS HEAD. This change will also
be merged to the VTK-5-0 and ParaView-2-6 branches over the coming days. It
will also be included in the 5.0.3 patch release of VTK, which is a bug fix
patch that will be ready to release next week or the week after...

For those who don't mind dealing with the issues related to patented code,
vtkmpeg2encode is now available as a separate download. Go to
http://www.vtk.org and click on the "Download" link and look for links to
archives of the vtkmpeg2encode source tree. It is buildable with CMake. See
the comments in vtkMPEG2Writer class documentation or in VTK's
CMakeLists.txt near the VTK_USE_MPEG2_ENCODER option for more info.

Those of you using vtkMPEG2Writer will have to build vtkmpeg2encode
separately and link it in to VTK to keep using it... assuming the
responsibility for using patented code properly yourselves. Otherwise, you
will have to discontinue use of the vtkMPEG2Writer class.


Let me know if you have any questions,
David Cole
Kitware, Inc.


On 1/3/07, Berk Geveci <berk.geveci at kitware.com> wrote:
>
> In VTK, the only code that is patented is the mpeg2 encoder. All the
> other patented algorithms were either replaced or their patents
> expired. The inclusion of mpeg2 in VTK is an oversight. We will make
> it an external dependency in the next patch of VTK 5. I would suggest
> waiting until then to include VTK in a distribution.
>
> -berk
>
> On 12/28/06, Axel Thimm <Axel.Thimm at atrpms.net> wrote:
> > On Tue, Sep 12, 2006 at 01:08:30PM -0400, Ken Martin wrote:
> > > > > an important issue with packaging and offering vtk packages in
> some
> > > > > countries is whether it contains any patented code. I've read
> about
> > > > > expired patents and algorithms removed due to not yet expired
> > > > > patents, but what about the mpeg2 encoding support?
> > > > >
> > > > > Doesn't this include patented software/algrothms that the MPEGLA
> > > > > requires loyalities for?
> > > > >
> > > > > If yes, could it perhaps be shipped seperately, so source and
> binary
> > > > > packages can be completely patent-free?
> > > >
> > > > could someone please comment on the patent issues? mpeg and
> otherwise?
> > >
> > > I don't believe mpeg code should ever have been moved into VTK. Our
> policy
> > > as of a couple years ago has been to not put patented code into VTK
> but have
> > > them be optional third party libraries that you must download
> separately.
> > > Clearly that is not the case any more :(
> >
> > you are referring to the mpeg part, which can still be removed for
> > packaging purposes (and indeed in upcoming vtk releases it would be
> > nice to keep it as a separate tarball).
> >
> > But what about the other patents regarding some algorithms like
> > Marching Cubes and friends? There is a FAQ entry on this:
> >
> > http://www.vtk.org/Wiki/VTK_FAQ#What_is_the_deal_with_the_patents
> >
> > But it refers to vtk4 and mentions the Patented subfolder which does
> > not exist anymore. Have all these patented algorithms either
> >
> > o expired
> > o been replaced by non-patented equivalents
> > o are waived for vtk use?
> >
> > IANAL, but probably the patents held by Kitware are not a problem as
> > they are releasing the software under an open source license
> > themselves. But what about patents by the General Electric Company?
> >
> > Please help me get the patent issue resolved so vtk can become part of
> > Fedora. Thanks!
> > --
> > Axel.Thimm at ATrpms.net
> >
> >
> > _______________________________________________
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> > Please keep messages on-topic. Check the FAQ at:
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> >
> >
> >
> >
>
>
> --
> Berk Geveci
> Kitware Inc.
> 28 Corporate Drive
> Clifton Park, NY, 12309
> _______________________________________________
> This is the private VTK discussion list.
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