benny1967 | # 11 | 2010-06-10, 14:32 | Report

Pulling the software before means keeping maermo.org out of possible troubles, even if the chances of real trouble might be small.

I see no advantage in taking these risks. I'd see huge advantages in throwing foul zucchini at people who abuse so-calles software patents.

andrewfblack | # 12 | 2010-06-10, 14:35 | Report

what if we start getting requests like these every week. What if a lawsuit is filed against Nokia for a software patent would we pull them all?

rickysio | # 13 | 2010-06-10, 14:46 | Report

So if we face a patent suit over the Maemo 5 operating system = kill switch OS update sent to all N900's...?

benny1967 | # 14 | 2010-06-10, 14:47 | Report

We had this discussion before. The problem always is that this isn't just some shady community-run site. It's backed by Nokia and therefore an attractive target. That's the price we have to pay for Nokia's financial involvement with the site.

One of the solutions proposed then was a "bad" repository that would host anything a clean, conservative, law-abiding community wouldn't want to have at the moment. Such a private, "bad" repository wouldn't easily be a target for manic lawyers.

But until we have that... Better be safe, I'd say.

Texrat | # 15 | 2010-06-10, 14:53 | Report

It's easy for people to support maemo.org taking risks when they're not the ones who have to deal with consequences.

"Better safe than sorry" can be seen as a weasel's policy, but in these times of software patent litigation it's unavoidable... especially for organizations like this one.

Oh, and just say no to software patents.

fatalsaint | # 16 | 2010-06-10, 15:01 | Report

This. (biglongmessagestuffythingshere)

titan | # 17 | 2010-06-10, 15:06 | Report

AFAIK the issue is Courgette,
an algorithm for reducing the size of software updates
http://blog.chromium.org/2009/07/sma...safer-too.html

Maemo's software updates use apt/.deb, so how about disabling
Courgette in Chrome as it is not used anyway?

b-man | # 18 | 2010-06-10, 15:09 | Report

I'm sure this will blow over eventually like the situation did with Nokia vs. Nintendo..

if you still want to install chromium, email me at mckenzba@gmail.com and i'll give you a link

HellFlyer | # 19 | 2010-06-10, 15:20 | Report

Very good idea. I'm looking forward for BAD repository... oh god I have so many things to add there

Jaffa | # 20 | 2010-06-10, 15:23 | Report

That is one of the avenues the Council, Nokia Legal and jacekowski have been investigating.

There are two sides to any mitigation:

1. Does the person who sent the C&D accept that you've removed "their" IP? Including in the source code remember.
2. If not, is it a risk those who are the target of any lawsuit willing to bear; based on technical assurances?

As it says in the announcement, it's pushed the issue of maemo.org governance to the fore again, but it's difficult to immediately think of structures which a) don't expose volunteers to cease & desist letters or b) don't force Nokia Legal to err on the side of caution.

Someone has to take responsibility, and if you want to pursue #1 then you want to act in good faith whilst those discussions continue.