[Qgis-psc] QGIS for Mobile (Android)

Wed Oct 16 04:11:23 PDT 2019

Hi Vincent

> On 16 Oct 2019, at 11:19, Vincent Picavet (ml) <vincent.ml at oslandia.com> wrote:
> 
> 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.

For me the answer is ‘yes’ - I think we can make access to the source code, build processes etc. clear and easy for any user from within their app and by providing the app in the iOS we do not remove any of their basic freedoms.

> B/ if so, is the distribution of a GPLv2+ software on the app store even
> legal ? This is not as clear as it could

It seems to be ok for VLC and most likely many others:

https://www.videolan.org/legal.html
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/vlc-for-mobile/id650377962

> C/ if B has not be verified and stated as valid, is QGIS.org <http://qgis.org/> and the
> QGIS project ready to take a legal risk, officially endorsing a GPL
> application distributed on the app store ?

Let’s first establish that there is a risk.

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

I would be strongly in favour of finding a way to get it into the App Store for the simple pragmatic reason of wanting as many people as possible to be able to freely use QGIS and its derivatives on whichever platform they choose.

Regards

Tim

> 
> 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 <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/> <http://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/> <http://www.faunalia.eu <http://www.faunalia.eu/>>
>>    QGIS.ORG <http://qgis.org/> <http://QGIS.ORG <http://qgis.org/>> Chair:
>>    http://planet.qgis.org/planet/user/28/tag/qgis%20board/ <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/> <http://www.lutraconsulting.co.uk <http://www.lutraconsulting.co.uk/>>
>> +44 (0)7568 129733
>> 
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---

Tim Sutton
tim at qgis.org

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