Debian Position on Software Patents

“Policy Statement Debian will not knowingly distribute software
encumbered by patents; Debian contributors should not package or
distribute software they know to infringe a patent. Debian will not
accept a patent license that is inconsistent with the Debian Social
Contract or Debian Free Software Guidelines.

Unless communications related to patents are subject to
attorney-client privilege, community members may be forced to
produce them in a lawsuit. Also, patent concerns expressed publicly
may turn out to be unfounded but create a good deal of fear,
uncertainty, and doubt in the meantime. Therefore, please refrain
from posting patent concerns publicly or discussing patents outside
of communication with legal counsel, where they are subject to
attorney-client privilege.

Patent risks affect the entire community. If you are concerned
about a specific patent, please do not keep it to yourself ? notify
legal counsel.

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