[Tim Potter <tpot@xxxxxxxxx>]

On Mon, Nov 25, 2002 at 09:28:02PM -0600, Gerald Combs wrote:

> The original goal of the project was to create a commercial-quality
> analyzer for Unix.  It has (for me at least) expanded to the best
> multi-platform analyzer.  This includes supporting as many protocols as
> possible.

[...]

> We can't ignore the fact that we have a large and growing user base, and
> they depend on Ethereal as a solid, quality product.  It's apparent to me
> that if we keep the product purely GPL, we won't be able to support quite
> a few protocols.  This conflicts with the original and present goals, and
> does a disservice to the user base.

Some excellent points - thanks.

> > Do binary only dissectors go against the vision the original authors of 
> > Ethereal had?  Perhaps Gerald can answer this.
> 
> I am completely opposed to binary-only plugins, and won't agree to any
> license change that would allow them.  (I'm not sure what good they would
> do anyway; it probably wouldn't be difficult to reverse-engineer one using
> randpkt and <your favorite scripting language>.)

True - it's happened before many times.  Will it trigger any particular
patent issues with the protocol in question?  I guess that depends on
the wording of the patent.  Does simply displaying the contents of packets 
received on a network interface violate a patent?  

I don't think the contents of a network packet are patentable anyway
(copyrightable perhaps though).  Ethereal is not participating in any
sort of process or exchange of information that defines a network
protocol.

More fuel for the fire.  (-:


Tim.