Re: Firefox themes as Art files - ADDENDUM

[Giuseppe Scrivano]

al3xu5 / dotcommon <address@hidden> writes:

> This is in addiction to my previous email.
>
> The GNU/FSF Guidelines for Free System Distributions 
> http://www.gnu.org/distros/free-system-distribution-guidelines.html
> state:
>
> "Non-functional Data
> Data that has an aesthetic purpose, rather than a functional one, may
> be included in a free system distribution *as long as its license gives
> you permission to copy and redistribute*, both for commercial and
> non-commercial purposes. For example, there are some game engines that
> have been released under the GNU GPL, and have accompanying game
> information—a world map, game graphics, and so on—*released under such a
> verbatim distribution license*. This kind of data can be part of a free
> system distribution."

It is saying that themes, if they are considered to have only an
aesthetic purpose can be included in a free software as GNU IceCat.

Firefox themes give you the permission to copy and redistribute them.

What you posted enforces my doubt, themes must be considered software or
not?

Our goal is to protect users freedom; to do so, there is need to have
clear ideas, and I admit that now I don't have completely clear ideas on
themes.
They looks like half way between software and artwork.
Surely we can't advise non-free software but at the same time we can't
be blind and say no to everything.  If the FSF says that aesthetic data
can be included, until it can be freely copied and distributed then I
assume there are good reasons to say so.  If themes can be considered
aesthetic data only then I don't see good reasons to don't advise them.

Are there good examples of themes that can't be considered only artwork?

> This means that if GNU IceCat will include themes or other stuff
> released with any non-free license, then it should be threat as a BUG
> by all Free System Distributions (such gNewSense, for
> example) and REMOVED from them.

I never said it will include non-free things.  There is only a reason
behind IceCat: users freedom.

Regards,
Giuseppe