[Qgis-psc] QGIS for Mobile (Android)

[Vincent Picavet (ml)]

Hello,


On 15/10/2019 17:10, Saber Razmjooei wrote:
> Hi Paolo,
> 
> What should we exactly join up to? :)
> 
> Current QGIS code repository offers the platform to collaborate. Here
> are some of the example of our recent works to make QGIS touch library
> (on the back of great work from OpenGIS) and static providers:
> https://github.com/qgis/QGIS-Enhancement-Proposals/issues/109
> https://github.com/qgis/QGIS-Enhancement-Proposals/issues/149
> 
> Additionally, we extended the SDK to support compilation of QGIS on iOS.

As far as I know, and under the disclaimer "not a lawyer", GPLv2+
applications are not allowed on the app store.

There are many levels of decisions required here :
A/ do we want to distribute our software on a platform which is clearly
hostile to the licence we use ? GPL hostility from Apple is something
which can not be denied.
B/ if so, is the distribution of a GPLv2+ software on the app store even
legal ? This is not as clear as it could
C/ if B has not be verified and stated as valid, is QGIS.org and the
QGIS project ready to take a legal risk, officially endorsing a GPL
application distributed on the app store ?

In our current knowledge, I would strongly be against QGIS.org and the
QGIS project supporting officially the iOS version of any software based
on QGIS. The legal risk is too high.

Should a study by an IP lawyer be made and published, that could ease a
decision. But I guess the cost would be quite high. If it validates
point B, then we would still have point A to evaluate.

> I had raised 2 questions in my initial email and would be interested to
> see how those scenarios would be handled if QField becomes the official
> QGIS mobile (Android) app?

Saber, as for question 2, I would personally be in favor of a plugin
system to access the mergin freemium service, for QField (or any app
endorsed by the QGIS project), instead of a core pull request. It would
also ease the maintenance.
If this system is optional in the installation, I have no argument
against having an official QGIS project application support it.
Especially if opensource alternatives exist.

Best regards,

Vincent

> 
> Also a note about Input and data synchronisation, you can use your USB
> cable, Bluetooth, wifi, ... to sync the data and there is no need for
> our service. In the same way, you can completely avoid Oracle
> database data provider and use your PostGIS or Shapefile.
> 
> Regards
> Saber
> 
> 
> 
> On Tue, 15 Oct 2019 at 15:43, Paolo Cavallini <cavallini at faunalia.it
> <mailto:cavallini at faunalia.it>> wrote:
> 
>     Hi all,
> 
>     On 15/10/19 16:30, Tim Sutton wrote:
> 
>     > That sounds like a very good approach to me too. 
>     >
>     > I think Marco was also talking about having QField main repo moved to
>     > the QGIS.org <http://QGIS.org> GitHub repo (correct Marco?). Though I
>     > don’t think this needs to be a pre-requisite to being listed on
>     the QGIS
>     > download page.
> 
>     I think we are all on the same line here. Of course we'll treat all
>     projects equally, so all other parts of QGIS broader ecosystem are
>     welcome to start discussing the steps to join.
>     Regards.
> 
>     -- 
>     Paolo Cavallini - www.faunalia.eu <http://www.faunalia.eu>
>     QGIS.ORG <http://QGIS.ORG> Chair:
>     http://planet.qgis.org/planet/user/28/tag/qgis%20board/
>     _______________________________________________
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> 
> 
> 
> -- 
> Saber Razmjooei
> www.lutraconsulting.co.uk <http://www.lutraconsulting.co.uk>
> +44 (0)7568 129733
> 
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