[vlc-devel] Reaction to the VLC on iOS issue

[Jean-Baptiste Kempf]

Hello,

On Wed, Nov 03, 2010 at 08:41:21PM +0100, Pierre Ynard wrote :
> It's becoming clear that the AppStore terms and conditions can be
> reasonably interpreted as incompatible with the GPL. Considering that
> it's a little late to avoid the issue, what should VideoLAN do?

>  - Do PR pushing for keeping VLC on the AppStore despite the possible
>    GPL violation, for the sake of the users
>  - Convince Rémi (and any follower) to drop their claims against Apple
>    to solve the issue and keep VLC on the AppStore
Those are not cool solutions, IMVHO.

>  - Try to smother the issue, hoping that VLC will stay on the AppStore
That would not solve the problem.

>  - Do nothing at all because we don't care/won't bother/can't agree
We care.

>  - Make amends for the mess, and try to minimize involvement to avoid
>    bad PR impact
Maybe.

>  - Without doing PR, make moves to support GPL rights and work around
>    the abuse: write a wrapper EULA for the GPL, reaffirm violated
>    rights in the about box...
This is something clever that Applidium could do.

>  - Do PR pushing for Apple relaxing their terms
This is already what we are doing, in fact.

>  - Organize something to sue Apple
I hope you are joking.

Another question, does LGPL licensing change anything?
No. Even if, libVLC could become LGPL, the whole VLC cannot, and seeing
how static compilation is mandatory, this is not possible.

My opinion is:
 - let a bit different parties to react with appropriate answer, analysis
   Especially, since lawyer are way slower to react than anyone.
   Usually legal issue settle in a very long time (ie not one week)
   This is frustrating, I know, but this is how legal stuff work.
 - Wait for the media to calm down, and why not having some press
   release explaining that the issue is settling down.
   Reactions in heat are usually a mess, as we have seen :'(
 - In the mean-time, do a bit of pressure on Apple.
 - If no appropriate solution is found in a few days, discuss with Applidium
   about the removal from the AppStore.
 - And have a clear explanation about the problematic parts.


Best Regards,


-- 
Jean-Baptiste Kempf
http://www.jbkempf.com/
+33 672 704 734