[CREATE] Due Dilligence: licensing of the GIMP gradients?

[Jon Phillips]

On Tue, 2005-09-13 at 16:45 +0300, Nicu Buculei wrote:
> Alan Horkan wrote:
> > I noticed a bit of proprietary software which looked as if it was using
> > gradients taken from the GIMP and converted to SVG.  Before accusing
> > anyone of anything I wondered if this might actually be entirely
> > reasonable given that users implicitly need this entitlement if they are
> > to incorporate any of the gradients or other resources into their work
> > without any copyright issues.  On thinking about it futher the way KOffice
> > uses Gimp Gradients they could very easily find themselves in themselves
> > in the same situation (which is why the koffice list is CC'ed this
> > message).
> 
> 
> The gradient files are simple enumeration of basic data, position and 
> color values, someone can copy them by opening the GIMP gradient editor 
> and noting the values on paper and then form paper in a text editor, so 
> I don't think such things should be covered by copyright.
> 
> I know Pantone colors are heavily protected by copyright/trademark, but 
> this does not means this is the right thing to do also with GIMP gradients.

I have talked previously about the need for some kind of open color
standard which could be protected by some type of license in the face of
the "monopoly on color" that pantone has currently.

I wonder if we could define and protect "open color" with LGPL? I don't
want to not allow ppl. to use these for commercial interests, but this
would help this cause.

Yes, we must free the color. I think this idea could really take off.
What do you all think?

Jon

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Jon Phillips

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