Ubuntu’s Position on Mono Revealed (Update)

By
Jeremy
 – June 30, 2009Posted in: Featured Stories, Opinion

There has been quite a bit of controversy regarding the inclusion of Mono by default in Linux distributions. I haven’t been following this ordeal as closely as I probably should have, but I received an email today detailing Ubuntu’s position on the whole ordeal. I am probably going to start following this more closely so that I can be more informed about the situation. However, I ask this to my readers: Is Kubuntu affected? I know that Ubuntu as well as Debian are, but that is something I will probably research.

As far as Ubuntu’s position on this issue, they are taking the “there have been no litigations yet so we will ignore this until it becomes a problem” stance. I will say that I partially agree, but I would rather them strip Mono just because it could be an issue later. Even if no one is wanting royalties right now doesn’t mean they won’t later. Then again, maybe we are all just being paranoid. What do you think? Below is a copy of the email I received.
—

The Ubuntu Technical Board has been asked for a position statement on
the use of C#, specifically the Mono implementation, by applications in
Ubuntu.

These applications, as well as the Mono stack, were proposed for
inclusion like any other application and underwent the same review
process that all new applications and platforms undergo before being
accepted into the archive.

With specific regard to the default installed application set,
applications have been reviewed and compared against each other on merit
and features. These often take place during the Ubuntu Developer
Summits, most recently over the default media player.

A common concern cited about Mono is the patent position, largely it
seems due to the originator of the C# language and associated ECMA
standards.

The Ubuntu Project takes patent issues seriously, and the Ubuntu
Technical Board is the governance body that handles allegations of
patent infringement. The Ubuntu Technical Board strives to engage with
rights holder openly in terms of the code that we ship. If a rights
holder claims a patent infringement applies to said code, the Technical
Board will commit to a review of the claim.

The Ubuntu Technical Board has received no claims of infringement
against the Mono stack, and is not aware of any such claims having been
received by other similar projects.

It is common practice in the software industry to register patents as
protection against litigation, rather than as an intent to litigate.
Thus mere existence of a patent, without a claim of infringement, is not
sufficient reason to warrant exclusion from the Ubuntu Project.

(While the Ubuntu project wishes to be responsive to patent infringement
claims, we cannot commit to the assessment and review of claims made by
anyone other than the registered rights holder.)

Given the above, the Ubuntu Technical Board sees no reason to exclude
Mono or applications based upon it from the archive, or from the default
installation set.

Since the Mono stack is already a dependency of the default installation
set for many remixes of Ubuntu, including the Desktop Edition, there is
no reason to consider a dependency on Mono as an issue when suggesting
applications for the default set.

(Other remixes may obviously consider the CD Size implications if an
application would introduce the Mono platform to the set.)

Scott
on behalf of the Ubuntu Technical Board

There you have it. Be sure to speak your mind on this issue by leaving a comment.

Update: I sent Scott an email asking for further clarification on Ubuntu’s standpoint. This is what I asked him:

“If I am reading this correctly, it is basically saying that Ubuntu may or may not have the legal right to use certain Mono-based applications, but it will until someone complains? That seems rather self-destructive. Please note however that I have not developed my standpoint on this issue yet, I just merely want a better understanding. Maybe I just misread this announcement, so please correct me if I did.”

Here is his response:

“Our position is that until Microsoft themselves complain (as the rights
holder), there is no reason to suppose that there is any risk or danger
of using C# or Mono in Ubuntu.

There is no evidence that Microsoft is intending to be malicious with
its C#-related patents, and instead it appears that they intend to be
open and welcome the Mono implementation.

So Mono is in no different a position than other pieces of software
which are covered by patents, for example those held by the OIN.

Scott”

Based on what I know so far, my standpoint is probably against Mono unless Microsoft makes it public that it’s okay to use it. By the logic suggested here, it would be the same as if I went over someone’s house and borrowed their car without asking, and continued driving it until they complained. That’s not a good attitude for a free operating system to have, we need to keep things honest here.

I don’t have a problem with the C# language or Mono itself, I just feel it should be an established fact that we can use it before doing so. (I guess I did develop my standpoint after all)! Here’s hoping that Microsoft makes it clear that it can be used or Ubuntu changes their opinion. I think there will be some major fallout from this, and I think Ubuntu will want to reconsider because there is certainly nothing to lose by not including Mono. Afterall, there are plenty of open source alternatives to just about everything.

About the Author

Jeremy is a Certified IT Technician that blogs at ITNewsToday.com in his spare time. He has over ten years of industry experience, and studies the IT industry every single day. Jeremy has become an open source enthusiast over time and is studying for his Linux+ certification. He lives in Waterford MI with his wife Krystal and son Alan. If you enjoyed this article, please consider buying him a pepsi.