Re: [Fsfe-uk] Europe funds internet TV standard

[Shane Martin Coughlan]

Hi Dave

Dave Page wrote:
> http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/7259339.stm
> Just making sure this is on FSFE's radar - a Europe-wide standard
> presents great opportunities and great risks for free software.
> If we can make sure that the standard allows free software
> implementations, without patent encumberment, then this will massively
> lower another barrier to entry for free software and free culture; if we
> fail, it may make free software unusable for large numbers of home
> users.
> What can be done in this fight?

I think it would be useful to first contextualise the issue.  It is
premature to describe the project as being associated with a fight.
Dave Crossland mentioned that the research undertaken will be based on
http://www.tribler.org/, which he mentioned is released under the LGPL.
 Perhaps the first step would be to examine whether Tribler itself is
entirely Free Software.  Then the overarching P2P research project could
be examined to see whether it will release the final technology under
Free Software terms.

It's certainly an interesting project and worth keeping an eye on.

Shane

-- 
Shane Coughlan
FTF Coordinator
Free Software Foundation Europe
Office: +41435000366 ext 408 / Mobile: +41792633406
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