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List:       kde-policies
Subject:    Re: P2P file sharing software in KDE's CVS
From:       "Arend van Beelen jr." <arend () auton ! nl>
Date:       2003-09-12 16:25:56
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Hi!

Being one of the CC'd guys, I thought it would be nice to give a 
response as to why I think KDE would actually benefit from a P2P app 
like Apollon. If I look among my friends and family (here in Holland) I 
know of very few that do not use P2P programs on a daily basis and one 
of the first things that's asked when I suggest Linux as a desktop is 
whether they can use Kazaa (and the like) with it. No matter how P2P 
evolves legally, I don't think it's something that is going away. In 
fact, I see many opportunities in which P2P can be further integrated 
into the daily tasks. Integration between Apollon and Kopete being the 
first one. I'm not an expert on the legal field and I'll leave the 
decision whether it's legally responsible to do this to others, but I 
can really see some great value in a closer integrated P2P application, 
something I think we can achieve using Apollon.

Thanks,

Arend jr.

Scott Wheeler wrote:

> Hi folks,
>
> A couple of the guys (on CC here) brought up on IRC the possibility of
> importing a file sharing app that they're working on into nonbeta and 
> had the
> misfortune of asking my opinion.
>
> I recently noticed KMLDonkey in kdeextragear-2 and have some reservations
> about having file sharing in KDE's CVS.  But before I launch into my 
> opinion
> I should first qualify it as being just that and second say that I 
> hope that
> there's a concensus on this matter so that we get any flamewars out of 
> the
> way now and can proceed accordingly.
>
>
> [personal opinion section]
>
> I personally don't think it's wise to have P2P software in KDE's CVS.  
> Aside
> from all "right or wrong" or "legal or illegal" debates, I see having P2P
> software in KDE's CVS repository as a legal liability that's 
> unnecessary and
> potentially puts the project in a situation where it's primary goals --
> shipping a high quality Open Source desktop -- could be compremised by
> something that isn't one of its primary goals.
>
> I don't like the RIAA or the MPAA or what they're doing with legal 
> action in
> the US, but I don't see it as too far fetched that they would sue 
> either the
> KDE project, KDE developers or KDE users for such supporting, 
> developing or
> using such software.  I don't even think that having such software *is*
> illegal or wrong, but I'm not convinced that this would stop a 
> potential law
> suit that could harm the KDE project -- win or lose.
>
> Basically I don't think it's worth the risk, especially when there are 
> other
> places willing to host such software that do have more developed legal 
> and
> financial assets.
>
> All of the standard arguments, "We have to fight" or "It's no more 
> illegal
> than CD burning software" or "It has legal uses [wink]" don't mean 
> much to me
> when comared with the fact that I see it as possible that it could 
> distract
> and injure the project as a whole.  I personally don't see promotion 
> of P2P
> file sharing software as an integral part of the KDE project.
>
> All of this said, I may be in the minority opinion, if so I would 
> still like
> to see some clear stand on this.  Please in the discussion try to avoid,
> "It's not illegal or immoral and it saved my life" type of arguments.  
> I'd
> like to keep simple -- risk vs. benefit.
>
> Cheers,
>
> -Scott
> -- 
> Well this should cheer you up for sure.  You see I've got your old ID and
> you're all dressed up like The Cure.
> --Ben Folds Five, "Battle of Who Could Care Less"


-- 
Arend van Beelen jr.
http://www.liacs.nl/~dvbeelen

"Coming for you, we're the Cowboys from Hell!"
- Pantera


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