[vtkusers] Re: Packaging vtk: patents

[Axel Thimm]

Hi,

On Fri, Jan 26, 2007 at 12:12:26PM -0500, David Cole wrote:
> 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...

any chance the next bugfix release would make it soon? Should I
rather package a CVS cut?

> 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!
> >>
> >>
> >> _______________________________________________
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> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >
> >

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-- 
Axel.Thimm at ATrpms.net
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