[Fedora-legal-list] Status of ICQ-related apps in Fedora.

[Peter Lemenkov]

Hello All!

It seems, that *all* 3rd party software, which is should connect to
ICQ networks for normal operation, violates their EULA (or urges users
to violate EULA). Thus, keeping in mind, that there is no way to use
ICQ-related software w/o explicitly violating their license agreement,
and there are many other open alternatives (and even proprietary
systems, which permits 3rd party applications), I think that software,
designed to work with explicit requirement to be connected to ICQ
network, should be considered as unacceptable for inclusion into
Fedora (exept thiose titles, who has explicit permission from ICQ LLC
for connecting and interoperating with their network). Any opinions?

http://www.icq.com/legal/end-user-license.html

"You agree not to (1) create or use any software other than the
Software provided by ICQ or by America Online, Inc., or any affiliate
thereof, to enter your ICQ number and password or to access the ICQ
Services, without the express written authorization of ICQ; (2)
extract information from the ICQ Services, reverse engineer,
decompile, disassemble, alter, duplicate, make copies, create
derivative works from, distribute or provide others with the Software,
the ICQ communications protocol or any information available on,
derived or extracted from the ICQ Services, or any part thereof; (3)
block, disable or otherwise affect any advertising, advertisement
banner window, links to other sites and services, or other features
that constitute an integral part of the Software and ICQ Services; (4)
connect, use, attempt to connect or use in any way the ICQ Services,
for any commercial purpose and any other purpose that is not for your
private personal use in good faith and as explicitly offered on the
ICQ Web site; and (5) incorporate, integrate or otherwise include the
Software or any portion thereof (including the ICQ communications
protocols) into any software, program or product that communicates,
accesses, or otherwise connects with the ICQ Service or any other
instant messaging, Internet, or online service."

-- 
With best regards, Peter Lemenkov.