[Ffmpeg-devel] Porting to TI DM642 DSP

[Patrick Noffke]

I agree with your comments with the following exception:

The LGPL states (in section 6):

------------------
For an executable, the required form of the "work that uses the Library" 
must include any data and utility programs needed for reproducing the 
executable from it. However, as a special exception, the materials to be 
distributed need not include anything that is normally distributed (in 
either source or binary form) with the major components (compiler, 
kernel, and so on) of the operating system on which the executable runs, 
unless that component itself accompanies the executable.
------------------

To me, this special exception means I am not obliged to distribute the 
tools to relink the application since they normally come with TI's Code 
Composer Studio (as does the O/S on which the application runs). Your 
statement of "using some free development system" therefore does not 
seem to be accurate. If that is the case, I believe ffmpeg can safely be 
used in a "work that uses the library" without violating TI's licensing 
agreement, as long as I do everything else you mentioned.

Michel Bardiaux wrote:

>
> There is a 3rd hurdle: the LGPL forbids distribution of ffmpeg, 
> modified or not, in such a way that the user is not able to replace 
> ffmpeg by a newer version. That means you have to publish your 
> patches, *and* source or link-able binaries for your application, 
> *and* instructions on how to re-link (and with a DSP, probably flash 
> an PROM) using some free development system.
>
> I realize this puts heavy constraints on using ffmpeg for embedded 
> systems, thereby actually inciting people to use proprietary rather 
> than open-source software on embedded systems. But currently, for 
> ffmpeg, LGPL is the only game in town...
>

Regards,

-- 



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Patrick Noffke
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