[Pkg-rust-maintainers] Bug#1013920: Bug#1013920: rust-all: Debian violating Rust Trademark (as serious a situation as "iceweasel")

[Sylvestre Ledru]

Hello

I don't think it is a big deal but I will chat with some people on the Rust side about this.

Cheers,
Sylvestre (who managed the iceweasel/firefox thing)


Le 27/06/2022 à 13:52, lkcl a écrit :
> Package: rust-all
> Severity: serious
> Tags: upstream
> Justification: Policy 2.1
> 
> https://internals.rust-lang.org/t/rust-s-freedom-flaws/11533
> https://lists.debian.org/debian-legal/2021/05/msg00006.html
> https://foundation.rust-lang.org/policies/logo-policy-and-media-guide/
> 
> this is an extremely serious situation that exposes debian to a greater
> level of risk that was undergone for the last Mozilla-Foundation
> Trademark fiasco, iceweasel
> 
> Rust's Trademark requirements are that "you must seek our explicit
> permission before distributing patches".
> 
>      Uses that require explicit approval
> 
>      Distributing a **MODIFIED VERSION** of the Rust programming language
>      or the Cargo package manager and calling it Rust or Cargo requires
>      explicit, written permission from the Rust core team.
> 
> there are dozens of such patches and every single one of them, unless
> explicit permission has been sought, is a DIRECT Trademark violation
> 
>      https://sources.debian.org/patches/rustc/1.36.0+dfsg1-2/
> 
> the over-ride of the Trademark on "Free" software is Lawful and
> in this case makes rust (and cargo) non-free software.
> 
> unlike the Iceweasel debacle, the linux kernel is upstream merging
> rust, potentially making the entire linux kernel critically dependent
> on a non-free compiler.
> 
> there is the additional issue that although Debian might seek and
> be granted explicit permission for a Trademark License Grant to
> Distribute, that does not cover Derivatives, which would also
> need to explicitly seek their own permission
> 
>      https://www.debian.org/derivatives/
>      https://devuan.org
> 
> this has been discussed that DFSG Guideline 8 is violated by even
> attempting to seek a License specific to Debian
> 
>      https://www.mail-archive.com/debian-legal@lists.debian.org/msg45464.html
> 
> this is an extremely serious situation that either requires pulling
> rust and cargo from debian or a rename of both rust and cargo exactly
> as was done with iceweasel.
> 
> failure to do so is also extremely serious because Unlawful Distribution
> may still be considered grounds for financial compensation as well as
> a Legal Notice to Cease and Desist, and also to remove all public and private
> use of the Trademark from all Records.  mailing lists, bugtracker,
> debian archives - everything.
> 
> this one cannot be ignored.
> 
> 
> -- System Information:
> 
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