- This topic has 8 replies, 9 voices, and was last updated Jan 17-12:37 am by andyprough.
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TheBestGamer
Hi dear users 🙂
New antiX user here, I noticed that among the repositories some are identified as: Non-free, and that made me so confused, because that makes me think that it is illegal to use my favorite software if they were downloaded from those repositories!! what should I do to be on the safe side?
The same thing goes with those restricted codecs, if users are not allowed to use them why are they available?!!
Have a nice day 🙂
- This topic was modified 3 months, 3 weeks ago by TheBestGamer.
Robin
It’s all about whether a piece of software is licensed under a free license or under a proprietary license. For details see:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Debian#Repositories
A proprietary license does NOT mean a user is not allowed to use it. It simply means it is under a proprietary license.
Windows is like a submarine. Open a window and serious problems will start.
BobC
If its part of our repo list, it should be ok to use.
You should watch out for any systemd stuff trying to install. I would suggest using the -s (simulation) option on the sudo apt -s install packagename in a terminal to see what it would install before actually doing the install just to be safe, not sorry.
PS: what I said relates to what will or won’t work, and whether it will likely make a mess of your system, not wheether its legal or not for you to use. for that, you need to know the laws and restrictions, or get legal advice, not ask me, or expect legal advice on a forum for free.
- This reply was modified 3 months, 3 weeks ago by BobC.
anticapitalista
Some apps are ‘legal’ to use in some countries/states but not others.
Philosophers have interpreted the world in many ways; the point is to change it.
antiX with runit - leaner and meaner.
PPC
Just to clarify:
“Nonfree” does not mean “pirated”, only that the software there is not “Open Source”. Most of Linux and antiX is under some kind of “Open Source” license (you can search on-line, for example for the GPL and MIT licenses and read them). The Kernel may contain some proprietary blobs (neede, for example, to access certain wifi cards, etc).
“Nonfree” software can be installed, or even used for free, some times. Other software can be installed, but works in a crippled way (ex: inserting watermarks, like, MasterPDF, paid version; or require you to enter some kind of registration info- like, I think Softmaker Office does).
Even “free”, “open source” apps can be illegal in some places- ex: software that decodes DVD encryption can be illegal in some countries. I believe that using VPN software, even if it’s open source and “free” is illegal in China. In most countries, however, it’s illegal to use (or even have a copy that you are not using) “commercial” software that you paid no license to use. In some countries, like Belarus, it’s legal to use “commercial” software that you did not pay for…So, “non-free” repositories usually are legal to use, in most countries, most of the time.
And yes, I do sound just like a lawyer- I’m a lawyer 🙂
P.
Brian Masinick
For all the things that people complain about in the country where I live, the USA is relatively “free” about many things. Freedom of speech, for example, is something that has long been considered a privilege and a right. That doesn’t mean you can say anything at all without consequences, it still depends on what you say and how you say it, but if you “slander” another person, that is, say something damaging about another person, unless you can back up your words, that person could potentially take legal action against you, but you still have the freedom to say what you want, just don’t cause harm to others and you’re otherwise “free” in that respect.
When it comes to software, freely available software is under only the licensing terms it comes with here, no other restrictions.
- This reply was modified 3 months, 3 weeks ago by Brian Masinick.
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Brian MasinickXunzi_23
Important to note that most devices, computers tablets phones will not work or not work efficiently without
non free software.CD DVD writer software contains patented and paid propriety parts, same goes for USB Sticks, disk drives etc.
Most more recent processors, I include mine at more than 12 years old need a non free code to either protect
against known exploits or in some cases even run. What code is in secure boot module and its full capability
are still closely guarded secrets.Danger is the patent wars are still smouldering quietly underground, here in europe content industry wants to
extort more money from users and is lobbying heavily for law changes. Springer and Burda multi Billion concerns
among others at the forefront. Burda stinks due to its Nazi roots. The printing company was appropriated from
its previously jewish owners. Some compensation was paid but the company never returned to rightful owners.Users have already paid fees to many companys, mostly from US and many are not happy especialy about suggestions
for further extorsion by metered content and pay per view.- This reply was modified 3 months, 3 weeks ago by Xunzi_23.
sybok
Important to note that most devices, computers tablets phones will not work or not work efficiently without non free software.
Agreed; that’s why Debian voted to include non-free firmware in the official installation media.
https://www.debian.org/vote/2022/vote_003#outcome
andyprough
are non-free repositories illegal to use
Yes – I’m going to get Richard Stallman to send the Free Software Police to arrest you.
Just kidding – it’s a joke, don’t be so serious.
Try not to use non-free software – very many non-free software packages have been found over the years to be spying on us and reporting our activities to the government, to google and facebook and amazon, and to others with bad intentions. If free software does that, we, the community, can audit the software and look at the source code and make appropriate changes to stop it from being malware. If and when proprietary software does it, we might not ever figure it out. People like Edward Snowden and Julian Assange have had their freedom taken away for warning us about the spyware tools that groups like the NSA, CIA, MI5, Mossad, Bundesnachrichtendienst, etc, etc, use against us citizens. Without these revelations from insiders who are blowing the whistle, we might never know how completely corrupted some closed-source software has become.
When we have the option of using a free software, such as Firefox, vs a non-free software, such as Google Chrome, to do the same task, we’re doing ourselves and our fellow citizens a favor every time we choose the free software option. If everyone always chose free software, then spy agencies and black hat hackers and advertising agencies would have a much harder time spying on us.
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