Follow @Openwall on Twitter for new release announcements and other news
[<prev] [next>] [thread-next>] [day] [month] [year] [list]
Message-ID: <20120928224229.GA17147@debian>
Date: Sat, 29 Sep 2012 02:42:29 +0400
From: Aleksey Cherepanov <aleksey.4erepanov@...il.com>
To: john-dev@...ts.openwall.com
Subject: unrar license is not compatible with gpl, it is not free at all

It seems thwt john uses *non-free* unrar code. It is a problem.

Problematic clause:
   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.

Strictly saying unrar's license is *not* compatible with GPL. So all
binaries with it inside *aren't* redistributable.

At least following files seem to be affected:
$ grep -l 'compatible arch' *.[ch]
unrar.c
unrar.h
unrarcmd.c
unrarcmd.h
unrarfilter.c
unrarfilter.h
unrarhlp.c
unrarhlp.h
unrarppm.c
unrarppm.h
unrarvm.c
unrarvm.h

Also rar_fmt.c says:
"* This program uses code present in the public domain unrar utility written by
 * Alexander Roshal (http://www.rarlab.com/rar/unrarsrc-4.0.7.tar.gz).
 * Specifically, lines 240 to 274 from crypt.cpp are used."
But this archive contains license with the same problematic clause.
The code is *not* in public domain.

The same issue with unrar in ClamAV with respective discussion:
http://lists.debian.org/debian-legal/2009/11/msg00079.html

-- 
Regards,
Aleksey Cherepanov

Powered by blists - more mailing lists

Confused about mailing lists and their use? Read about mailing lists on Wikipedia and check out these guidelines on proper formatting of your messages.