Distribute with extensions?

Posted by sancomp on Mon, 07/10/2006 - 22:05Licensing Issues

Does the license allow for free distribution with minor modifications like extensions added to the default profile? I'm not talking about editing any source code or even downloading the source code. I'm just talking about preinstalled extensions downloaded from the Mozilla website with minor settings changes (i.e. adding sites to the list in IETab that will automatically render with IE).

 I do a lot of consulting work for companies that would like such a thing for distribution across their networks. I've been making them on a per-request basis, but would like to make one with the most common extensions available for all of my customers. I figure I'm helping to promote Firefox because the biggest gripes my customers have with it will be already fixed this way. Without these modifications I would have literally thousands of fewer installations of Firefox (many of these customers INSIST on IETab functionality especially and won't install it themselves).

The method I've been using is to download the redistributable EXE from Mozilla, extracting the files with 7-Zip, then adding the extensions folder and localstore.rd, and finally recompiling the whole thing with 7-Zip, and the header files (7zSD.sfx and app.tag) from Mozilla's website. 

Just checking if it's legit.


login or register to post comments | previous forum topic | next forum topic | 1810 reads
Well actually Mozilla is
Submitted by Laexter on Tue, 07/11/2006 - 05:37.


Well actually Mozilla is working on this issue.  See this Mozilla project.

It is supposed to be an extension that configures Fx to suit specific needs, and packs it to an installer.  They also have legal notes for configured pacakges, so it is a must check.
 

- free domain name

- my blog

login or register to post comments
Well there's another spin...
Submitted by sancomp on Tue, 07/11/2006 - 12:40.

So far, no word at all from Mozilla, so I'm still hoping this forum can help. I need to figure this out ASAP since I have several customers right now with well over a thousand computers between them that are wanting a customized Mozilla install on their networks.

Actually the CCK was what I had used to create some of these installers. I hadn't thought to check that project for licensing information until now, though.

On the CCK project page it specifically says that "Distributors" can legally use it to "preinstall browser plugins," "set default preferences" and several other things. Since these are the only two things I'm worried about, I'd say this means it's perfectly fine for me to do so. Anyone else have any thoughts on this?

[edit] The CCK project page also says that distributors can "Package other XPIs with your distribution" so I think that about covers everything being discussed here, doesn't it?

login or register to post comments
Yup, I think it is legit, as
Submitted by Laexter on Tue, 07/11/2006 - 14:36.


Yup, I think it is legit, as long as you don't publish the custom package.  What Mozilla feared is that there will be various Fx distros around the world, which are not compatible each other (or unmaintained).  This is the problem which faces Linux, with all their incompatible distros and desktop environment...
- free domain name

- my blog

login or register to post comments
That makes the most sense...
Submitted by sancomp on Tue, 07/11/2006 - 17:15.

That makes the most sense of anything I've heard so far. Still no official word from Mozilla, but your response is most consistent with all of the EULAs and FAQs I've read regarding this on Mozilla's website. So if I want to make this available on my website for my customers, I'll just create a secure login and they can download the distribution specially made for them from there.

I just wish Mozilla would say this somewhere. They almost contradict themselves by saying that you can make these modifications, tell you how to distribute it with the modifications, then say that you can't do what they just told you how to do. *confused*

I can certainly understand them not wanting distributions out there that changed the basic source code, but they should allow some leniency in pre-packaged extensions, toolbar layouts, and similar minor changes. Doesn't matter in my case, since I'm just worried about my customers and don't care that much about the general public, but this could be important in helping Firefox gain popularity.

login or register to post comments
Umm, you need to talk to Mozilla...
Submitted by LinWinOverlord on Tue, 07/11/2006 - 00:53.

I believe that is up to Mozilla to decide. You need to contact them and see if you are allowed to distribute a premod. I believe it is not legal to do so without a license because of the trademark guidelines. However, Google is able to, so just ask Mozilla in an email and see what they say.

login or register to post comments
Am I reading this right?
Submitted by sancomp on Tue, 07/11/2006 - 02:17.

Upon further inspection of the licensing terms laid out by Mozilla, my understanding is that there are no restrictions on editing (or distributing edited versions of) the source code or even the binary installers available from their website.

The restriction is on the the distribution of trademarks only (i.e. Mozilla brand name, Firefox logo, etc.). If that's the case then someone could just remove all references to Mozilla, Firefox and associated logos, call the browser by some other name, then distribute it in any way they see fit under the terms of the MPL. Seems like kind of an extreme thing to do just to be able to bundle some extensions with the browser. I can understand if you were changing some of the core source code or something, but extensions?

I sent messages on Bugzilla, via email, etc. I have not had any replies yet, but when I do I will post the official word here.

login or register to post comments
That's sad...
Submitted by sancomp on Tue, 07/11/2006 - 01:21.

I understand about trademarks, but if someone isn't changing any of the source code, logos, company information, etc. I don't see why they would want to restrict it.

I work with companies that have anywhere from a dozen to 500 computers and I keep hearing that they would like to switch away from IE, but that there is no browser out there that can handle all of their needs, including accessing IE-only websites. And using two browsers seems redundant to the powers-that-be.

Opera has a lot of the features these customers want, but doesn't offer as many add-ons for additional enhancement, so a customized Firefox install is the obvious answer.

 I know for a fact that there is no restriction on them building their own distribution (Mozilla even has the instructions right on their website!), so what is the difference if the company they've hired builds it for them?

From what I'm seeing and hearing, this is the biggest thing preventing widespread adoption of Firefox in the corporate environment, so why don't we all pressure Mozilla to make clearer, or at least simpler, guidelines on acceptable use for custom installations?

login or register to post comments