Canadian version of Ubuntu

[Rob Bowers]

"I don't understand how Ubuntu or anyone could or would limit the
distribution of a version to jurisdictions.... ...it will take about two
nanoseconds to get out into the wild ...anyone in the US or Australia or
wherever who wants the codecs will go straight for the codec enabled
version" (Chris).

Precisely! And all the more effective for it.

"... and Ubuntu is back in the legal Twilight Zone." (Chris).

This is the question. Is Ubuntu or are we responsible for Americans, bound
by their own laws, downloading or using a distribution designed to conform
to Canadian laws? (not a rhetorical question -- please answer it).

Suppose some small, distant country were to wholly outlaw open source. Would
the world have to make sure that everything on the internet conformed to
their limitations, lest their nationals acquire it? Likewise, are we obliged
to keep everything on the internet in accordance with American policy? Is
open source American?

Rather than have the *most* restrictive set of policies determine the form
of open source, let the *least* restrictive do.

I say the only meaningful reason for a Canadian distribution would be to
open a version freed of US patent restrictions, not just for Canadians, but
for open source.

Anyway, I am speaking from the heart. Other list members are better
informed, I think, to speak of the legal intricacies of the matter...




>  On 8/3/06, Chris Thompson <cthompsonx at gmail.com> wrote:
> >
> > I think we are getting things co-mingled here - i.e.
> > a) the issue of a Canadian distribution vs.
> > b) the distribution of codecs.
> >
> > I don't understand how Ubuntu or anyone could or would limit the
> > distribution of a version to jurisdictions where the incorporation of the
> > proprietary codecs is legal.
> >
> > Once Ubuntu or anyone officially affiliated with Ubuntu creates a distro
> > with the codecs incorporated, it will take about two nanoseconds to get out
> > into the wild ...anyone in the US or Australia or wherever who wants the
> > codecs will go straight for the codec enabled version, and Ubuntu is back in
> > the legal Twilight Zone.
> >
> > "Honest your Honour, we didn't know he was downloading from Pittsburgh;
> > he gave us a Canadian address and everything"
> >
> > Re the Canadian edition,  codecs aside... might it be a thought to
> > develop a Canadian theme and wallpaper -  the wonderful circles and maple
> > leaves in the Ubuntu colours would be a nice bit of wallpaper, for example,
> > and, well,  I think you get my drift ... and the theme could be distributed
> > with the base distro.
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >  On 8/3/06, Darryl Moore < darryl at moores.ca> wrote:
> >
> > > On Thu, 2006-08-03 at 22:27 +0300, Rob Bowers wrote:
> > > > We and Ubuntu will know what we're doing when we do it. I see no
> > > > reason that there should be risks. Of course we'll be careful. I
> > > still
> > > > say we keep it uncamouflaged, straight under US patent policy's
> > > nose.
> > > >
> > > > Anyway, I guess the first concrete step is to contact Ubuntu on the
> > > > matter. Who will do this?
> > > >
> > >
> > >
> > > Errr, Corey? we haven't heard much from you since you said "As for a
> > > Canadian only version Ubuntu, I have very mixed feelings about it. It
> > > is
> > > a possiblity, but I would need some strong convincing."
> > >
> > > You'd be a logical one to contact them. Are you in any way convinced
> > > yet?
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > --
> > > ubuntu-ca mailing list
> > > ubuntu-ca at lists.ubuntu.com
> > > https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-ca
> > >
> >
> >
> >
> > --
> > ubuntu-ca mailing list
> > ubuntu-ca at lists.ubuntu.com
> > https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-ca
> >
> >
> >
>
>
> --
> Lumiere: "We, girls, should be elegant"
> {Kiddy Grade}
>
> --
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> ubuntu-ca at lists.ubuntu.com
> https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-ca
>
>
>
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