[MPlayer-dev-eng] Utilize libunrar.so/unrar.dll?

[İsmail Dönmez]

On Friday 21 October 2005 23:10, Diego Biurrun wrote:
> On Fri, Oct 21, 2005 at 10:41:51PM +0300, ?smail Dönmez wrote:
> > On Friday 21 October 2005 22:36, Reimar Döffinger wrote:
> > > > Except you are not allowed to read the code if you will develop an
> > > > unrar-like program :-). Anyway as you said its not crucial but well
> > > > would be nice imho.
> > >
> > > Doesn't the license just say you may not use it to develop a compatible
> > > archiver? Just a decompressor wouldn't qualify as that I'd say...
> >
> > Hmm yeah relevant license part says :
> >
> >    2. The unRAR sources may be used in any software to handle RAR
> >       archives without limitations free of charge, but cannot be used
> >       to re-create the RAR compression algorithm, which is proprietary.
> >
> > So it can surely be reimplemented as L/GPL.
>
> How you can arrive at this conclusion from the above words is a mystery
> to me ...

License only forbids implementation of RAR compression and doesn't place any 
other obligations. So it doesn't restrict anyone from writing an unrar 
complement program. Except clause 2[1] it looks like BSD with advertising 
clause. But this is all IANAL.

[1] Full license here:

==========================================================================
   1. All copyrights to RAR and the utility unRAR are exclusively
      owned by the author - Alexander Roshal.

   2. The unRAR sources may be used in any software to handle RAR
      archives without limitations free of charge, but cannot be used
      to re-create the RAR compression algorithm, which is proprietary.
      Distribution of modified unRAR sources in separate form or as a
      part of other software is permitted, provided that it is clearly
      stated in the documentation and source comments that the code may
      not be used to develop a RAR (WinRAR) compatible archiver.

   3. The unRAR utility may be freely distributed. No person or company
      may charge a fee for the distribution of unRAR without written
      permission from the copyright holder.

   4. THE RAR ARCHIVER AND THE UNRAR UTILITY ARE DISTRIBUTED "AS IS".
      NO WARRANTY OF ANY KIND IS EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED.  YOU USE AT
      YOUR OWN RISK. THE AUTHOR WILL NOT BE LIABLE FOR DATA LOSS,
      DAMAGES, LOSS OF PROFITS OR ANY OTHER KIND OF LOSS WHILE USING
      OR MISUSING THIS SOFTWARE.

   5. Installing and using the unRAR utility signifies acceptance of
      these terms and conditions of the license.

   6. If you don't agree with terms of the license you must remove
      unRAR files from your storage devices and cease to use the
      utility.

========================================================================


Regards,
ismail