Umm, this is interesting..

[nobodyO at web.de]

Hi,

the reason why linux distributions can conflict with patents is that they are used not only private.
The patent right does not affect what you do private.
In the german law you can find this in § 11 PatG: http://www.patentgesetz.de/patg1.htm#p11 .
In other countries it's the same because the basic principles are the same.

Regards,

Rolf

> -----Ursprüngliche Nachricht-----
> Von: "Matthew Flaschen" <matthew.flaschen at gatech.edu>
> Gesendet: 15.02.08 07:45:11
> An:  GPL Violations <legal at lists.gpl-violations.org>
> Betreff: Re: Umm, this is interesting..


> 
> nobodyO at web.de wrote:
> > An example is the MP3 patent: Only producers of MP3 players are affected; you
> > don't need a license to hear or produce MP3s non-commerciall.
> 
> Actually, you do.  That's, for instance, why Ubuntu doesn't distribute 
> MP3's in the default install, even though they offer gratis CDs. 
> Patents apply to /any/ infringing device you distribute.
> 
> Matt Flaschen
>