[vtkusers] Re: Packaging vtk: patents

[David Cole]

There are two or three more small bug fix merges to make into VTK-5-0
and then I can make the patch release. Sorry about not getting this
packaged sooner...

Can you wait till Friday or Monday...?

Thanks,
David Cole

On 3/13/07, Axel Thimm <Axel.Thimm at atrpms.net> wrote:
> 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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> > >> Please keep messages on-topic. Check the FAQ at:
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> > >>
> > >>
> > >>
> > >>
> > >
> > >
>
> > _______________________________________________
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>
> --
> Axel.Thimm at ATrpms.net
>
>