[vtkusers] Re: Packaging vtk: patents

[Axel Thimm]

On Tue, Mar 13, 2007 at 08:05:33AM -0400, David Cole wrote:
> 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...?

Sure, np. Thanks!

> 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:
> >> >http://www.vtk.org/Wiki/VTK_FAQ
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> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >
> >> >
> >
> >> _______________________________________________
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> >
> >
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-- 
Axel.Thimm at ATrpms.net
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