Re: [libreoffice-marketing] AppStore

On Jun 25, 2011, at 4:36 PM, Cor Nouws wrote:
> Charles-H. Schulz wrote (25-06-11 14:52)
> > There was quite a lengthy discussion on the discuss list months ago
> > about the same topic. Many things were written. I think that what would
> > be really helpful would be if someone were to review the various app
> > stores rules and terms, and identify the ones we can readily work with
> > and the other ones where we would have a major legal problem. Would you
> > like to drive this?
> > [...]
>
> I support that proposal, Charles !

When we discussed this last year, I researched a bit and found the following article from the FSF:
http://www.fsf.org/news/2010-05-app-store-compliance

The article's summary:

An iPhone port of GNU Go is currently being distributed through Apple's App Store. However, this 
distribution is not in compliance with the GNU GPL. The primary problem is that Apple imposes 
numerous legal restrictions on use and distribution of GNU Go through the iTunes Store Terms of 
Service, which is forbidden by section 6 of GPLv2. So today we have written to Apple and asked them 
to come into compliance. We would be happy to see Apple distribute these programs under the GPL's 
terms, but unfortunately, it seems much more likely that they'll simply make the problem go away by 
removing GNU Go from the App Store.
----
I think the above refers to the iOS App Store, but I do not know if the relevant terms are any 
different for the Mac App Store. (I think it predates the existence of the Mac App Store.) 

The other difference is that the article refers to the GPL and not specifically the LGPL license.

I will follow up further and let you know what I discover.

-Ben


Benjamin Horst
bhorst@mac.com
646-464-2314 (Eastern)
www.solidoffice.com


-- 
Unsubscribe instructions: E-mail to marketing+help@global.libreoffice.org
Posting guidelines + more: http://wiki.documentfoundation.org/Netiquette
List archive: http://listarchives.libreoffice.org/global/marketing/
All messages sent to this list will be publicly archived and cannot be deleted