[aur-general] Notification of GPL violation

[lawl]

Hello

I'm the developer of NoiseTorch (https://github.com/lawl/NoiseTorch/).
I faithfully believe that the package "noisetorch" in the ArchLinux User Repository ("AUR") (https://aur.archlinux.org/packages/noisetorch/) violates my license (GPLv3).

I have the asked previous maintainer of this package to not apply patches or make it clear that this is a fork that's being conveyed. Several Arch Linux trusted users were also informed of this: https://github.com/lawl/NoiseTorch/issues/2#issuecomment-785262068

Unfortunately this seemed to have little effect, forcing me to officially notify the ArchLinux project of this violation.

The GPLv3 in Section 5 clearly states that modified versions must be marked as such

> 5. Conveying Modified Source Versions.
>
> You may convey a work based on the Program, or the modifications to
> produce it from the Program, in the form of source code under the
> terms of section 4, provided that you also meet all of these conditions:
>
> a) The work must carry prominent notices stating that you modified
> it, and giving a relevant date.

The term conveyance is also clearly defined in the GPL:

> To "propagate" a work means to do anything with it that, without
> permission, would make you directly or secondarily liable for
> infringement under applicable copyright law, except executing it on a
> computer or modifying a private copy. Propagation includes copying,
> distribution (with or without modification), making available to the
> public, and in some countries other activities as well.
>
> To "convey" a work means any kind of propagation that enables other
> parties to make or receive copies. Mere interaction with a user through
> a computer network, with no transfer of a copy, is not conveying.

Since AUR is distributing packages to automate the process receiving modified versions of the source code, I believe this constitutes conveyance of a modified version, irregardless of where the original source code tarball is fetched from.

Please ensure the cessation of violation of the license immediately.

Regards

lawl

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