Bug 445942 – media-sound/baudline: wrong use of "as-is" license

• Product: Gentoo Linux
• Status: RESOLVED FIXED

[Description Ulrich Müller 2012-12-04 16:14:35 UTC]

This is definitely no free software, so it shouldn't be labelled as such. LICENSE="as-is" is not correct.

On the package's HOMEPAGE I find this:

License Agreement:
* This software is free and it comes with no warranty.
* We are not liable for any damage caused by the use of this product.
* You are not allowed to distribute this software.
* You are not allowed to reverse engineer this software.
* By downloading the baudline .tar package you agree to the terms of
  our license agreement.
* If you desire a warranty on this product and you wish to purchase a
  support contract then please contact us.

[Comment 1 Michael Weber (RETIRED) 2012-12-04 16:23:19 UTC]

Thanks for the report, 
can you please post me the link of the website displaying this message.
I browsed the site and didn't find it - again.

Michael

[Comment 2 Michael Weber (RETIRED) 2012-12-04 16:24:21 UTC]

nevermind.

[Comment 3 Michael Weber (RETIRED) 2012-12-04 17:00:52 UTC]

+  04 Dec 2012; Michael Weber <[e-mail]> baudline-1.08-r1.ebuild:
+  Add baudline license (thanks ulm, bug 445942)
+

[Comment 4 Ulrich Müller 2012-12-04 17:10:15 UTC]

@Licenses team: Should baudline be added to the EULA license group?

[Comment 5 Matija "hook" Šuklje 2012-12-10 09:15:56 UTC]

(In reply to comment #4)
> @Licenses team: Should baudline be added to the EULA license group?

IMHO, yes.

Also according to their FAQ it seems we have to add some restrictions to it:

http://www.baudline.com/faq.html#licensing_terms

    Can you explain what the baudline licensing terms mean?

The about baudline window says "All distribution is explicitly prohibited."  This means you can download a copy for yourself, you can tell your friends where to download a copy, but you can't go distributing copies.  
- You can't copy baudline on CD's or floppies and sell or give them away.
- You can't put a copy of baudline on your web site or server unless you get our explicit permission.
- If you are a computer manufacturer or VAR you can't put copies of baudline on the machines you sell.
- Also putting baudline on an automatic download or update system like some Linux vendors are bringing online is considered distribution and is not allowed.

Usage is not restricted.  So personal, commercial, educational, or government uses are all OK. 

Basically you are prohibited from any form of mass redistribution without first getting explicit permission from SigBlips.  This will usually require some form of licensing agreement.  Please contact us for more information about baudline licensing, services, and support.

[Comment 6 Ulrich Müller 2013-04-24 06:05:15 UTC]

(In reply to comment #5)
> (In reply to comment #4)
> > @Licenses team: Should baudline be added to the EULA license group?
> 
> IMHO, yes.

Done.

> Also according to their FAQ it seems we have to add some restrictions to it:

It is fetch restricted already.