Official:Distribution Policy: Difference between revisions

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There are four main ways that 3rd parties may wish to distribute a product based on our reference Kodi codebase:
There are four main ways that 3rd parties may wish to distribute a product based on our reference Kodi codebase:


:* by redistribution of our unaltered reference binaries including their installation packages.
:* by redistribution of reference binaries (including their installation packages).
:* by distributing forked or otherwise altered compiled Kodi rebranded binaries, with or without an installer.
:* by distributing altered binaries (with or without an installer).
:* as part of a packaged distribution within a dedicated operating system framework.
:* as part of a packaged distribution (within a dedicated operating system framework).
:* by forking and rebranding the software (either stand-alone or as part of a packaged distribution).
:* by forking and rebranding the software (either stand-alone or as part of a packaged distribution).


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=== Redistribution of Our Unaltered Reference Binaries ===
== Redistributing Reference Binaries ==
 
Reference binaries are defined as those which are provided by Team Kodi and are freely available for download from our official website and download mirrors. This also covers both the Kodi application itself plus its installation package.


This is allowed, including usage of our related trademarks, wordmarks and logos, without requiring further permission from the XBMC Foundation, subject to the following comments and caveats:
This is allowed, including usage of our related trademarks, wordmarks and logos, without requiring further permission from the XBMC Foundation, subject to the following comments and caveats:


:* You may not add to, remove or change any part of the downloaded package, including the installation process.
:* You may not add to, remove or change any part of the downloaded package, including the installation process.
:* If you are distributing a compiled version of our master branch, it should be packaged in accordance with the packaging guidelines below.
:* No fee or other remuneration may be charged for the distribution.
:* No fee or other remuneration may be charged for the distribution.
:* The distribution may not be tied to the purchase of any other product, subscription or service.
:* The distribution may not be tied to the purchase of any other product, subscription or service.
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=== Distributing Kodi Branded Forked or Otherwise Altered Compiled Binaries ===
== Distributing Altered Binaries ==


Such distributions are discouraged due to the obvious risks of confusion with the original reference versions. Also there are risks of unexpected issues, bugs or operational variance that the alterations may cause leading to inefficient support and additional workload. In some cases it can also conflict with downloads available from various app stores.  
These are defined as versions of Kodi which has been compiled from a modified fork of the Kodi source code, but is still using our trademarks, wordmarks and/or logos.


There are some other caveats and limitations:
Such proposals can be split into two general categories - work to achieve a stable Kodi distribution on a new and previously unsupported device, platform or operating system and work to add or modify the functionality of Kodi on an already existing device, platform or operating system.


:* For cases where the modifications made are in violation of XBMC Foundation policies or ethics, the altered binaries may not be distributed. These include but are not limited to:
=== New Platform Support ===
::* Inclusion of any media in the package that the distributor does not have legal permission to distribute from the copyright holder(s).
::* Inclusion of any pre-installed addon which allows direct access to media sourced from the internet.
::* Inclusion of any pre-installed addon or repo which violate the XBMC Foundation [[piracy policy]], or are forks or derivatives of items that violate it.
::* Modifications designed to confuse, mislead or otherwise bypass notifications and warnings to the user, such as enabling the installation of 3rd party repositories by default.
::* Modifications which attempt to steal user personal information or data, or that incorporate or attempt to install malware, viruses, ransomware, mining scripts or similar malicious infections.


Adding support for new platforms is one of the long-term goals of the XBMC Foundation, and is an endeavour we aim to support as much as possible.
The guidelines below apply:
:* Please contact the XBMC Foundation about your work, as our developers can perhaps give guidance and assistance with it.
:* Once work is complete to a suitably stable point, submission of a PR to our master repo is very desirable.
::* If the work is of a suitable quality (or can be made so through mentoring and assistance) it may be merged into our master code branch.
::* This commonly may also be accompanied by an invitation for the author(s) to join Team Kodi as full members.
::* Any feature of Kodi which is added, altered, non-functional or removed compared to the existing master branch should be documented in the PR.
::* It is preferred that functionality is kept as uniform across the different supported platform as possible. It is accepted that this is not always possible (or desirable) though and will be reviewed on a case by case basis as part of the PR process.
:* If the distribution is ongoing work, unstable or for testing purposes, please ensure this is clear to end users accessing it.
:* The compiled application should be packaged in accordance with the packaging guidelines below.
:* It must also be clear where support can be obtained, and where bugs, issues or feedback may be communicated to the author(s).
:* No fee or other remuneration may be charged for the distribution.
:* No fee or other remuneration may be charged for the distribution.
:* The distribution may not be tied to the purchase of any other product, subscription or service.
:* The distribution may not be tied to the purchase of any other product, subscription or service.
:* The collection and storage of any personal information relating to the distribution is not allowed.
:* The collection and storage of any personal information relating to the distribution is not allowed.
:* Any relevant local laws and restrictions will apply.
:* Any relevant local laws and restrictions will apply.
:* Support via the official XBMC Foundation forum may also be restricted or denied depending on the modifications made, entirely at the discretion of the Team Kodi staff.


Unless the distribution is only for short term (testing) usage, we recommend that rebranding is done to remove any such confusion risks. In any case it should be made clear that the binary has been altered, both during the download process and also when used by means of a suitable splash screen, notification or other clear message to the user.
=== Distribution for Existing Platforms ===
 
The release of modified versions of our products for existing platforms is generally undesirable as it can lead to confusion between it and the original reference version. The preferred option is to submit the modification to our official repo via a PR for consideration to include into our master branch.
 
The guidelines below apply:
 
:*
 
 
== Packaged Distributions ==
 
x
 
 
== Rebranded Distributions ==
 
x
 
 
== Inclusion of Addons and Repos ==
 
x
 


'''Any other modified version for general use purposes that uses XBMC Foundation trademarks, wordmarks or logos otherwise requires permission from the XBMC Foundation board before distribution.'''
= Packaging Guidelines =

Revision as of 21:24, 17 January 2020

Home icon grey.png   ▶ XBMC Foundation ▶ Trademarks ▶ Distribution Policy


Referenced Pages and Further Reading

x


Introduction

There are four main ways that 3rd parties may wish to distribute a product based on our reference Kodi codebase:

  • by redistribution of reference binaries (including their installation packages).
  • by distributing altered binaries (with or without an installer).
  • as part of a packaged distribution (within a dedicated operating system framework).
  • by forking and rebranding the software (either stand-alone or as part of a packaged distribution).

For any other routes or requirements (or if there are any questions or clarifications required), please contact the XBMC Foundation board via our [email protected] email address.


Redistributing Reference Binaries

Reference binaries are defined as those which are provided by Team Kodi and are freely available for download from our official website and download mirrors. This also covers both the Kodi application itself plus its installation package.

This is allowed, including usage of our related trademarks, wordmarks and logos, without requiring further permission from the XBMC Foundation, subject to the following comments and caveats:

  • You may not add to, remove or change any part of the downloaded package, including the installation process.
  • If you are distributing a compiled version of our master branch, it should be packaged in accordance with the packaging guidelines below.
  • No fee or other remuneration may be charged for the distribution.
  • The distribution may not be tied to the purchase of any other product, subscription or service.
  • By default the latest stable release version should be offered. Other versions may be offered in parallel as long as it is explicitly clear which version a given download link will supply.
  • The collection and storage of any personal information relating to the distribution is not allowed.
  • Any relevant local laws and restrictions will apply.

Our preferred method of such distribution is via links back to the official download area of our main website and the packages available therein.


Distributing Altered Binaries

These are defined as versions of Kodi which has been compiled from a modified fork of the Kodi source code, but is still using our trademarks, wordmarks and/or logos.

Such proposals can be split into two general categories - work to achieve a stable Kodi distribution on a new and previously unsupported device, platform or operating system and work to add or modify the functionality of Kodi on an already existing device, platform or operating system.

New Platform Support

Adding support for new platforms is one of the long-term goals of the XBMC Foundation, and is an endeavour we aim to support as much as possible.

The guidelines below apply:

  • Please contact the XBMC Foundation about your work, as our developers can perhaps give guidance and assistance with it.
  • Once work is complete to a suitably stable point, submission of a PR to our master repo is very desirable.
  • If the work is of a suitable quality (or can be made so through mentoring and assistance) it may be merged into our master code branch.
  • This commonly may also be accompanied by an invitation for the author(s) to join Team Kodi as full members.
  • Any feature of Kodi which is added, altered, non-functional or removed compared to the existing master branch should be documented in the PR.
  • It is preferred that functionality is kept as uniform across the different supported platform as possible. It is accepted that this is not always possible (or desirable) though and will be reviewed on a case by case basis as part of the PR process.
  • If the distribution is ongoing work, unstable or for testing purposes, please ensure this is clear to end users accessing it.
  • The compiled application should be packaged in accordance with the packaging guidelines below.
  • It must also be clear where support can be obtained, and where bugs, issues or feedback may be communicated to the author(s).
  • No fee or other remuneration may be charged for the distribution.
  • The distribution may not be tied to the purchase of any other product, subscription or service.
  • The collection and storage of any personal information relating to the distribution is not allowed.
  • Any relevant local laws and restrictions will apply.

Distribution for Existing Platforms

The release of modified versions of our products for existing platforms is generally undesirable as it can lead to confusion between it and the original reference version. The preferred option is to submit the modification to our official repo via a PR for consideration to include into our master branch.

The guidelines below apply:


Packaged Distributions

x


Rebranded Distributions

x


Inclusion of Addons and Repos

x


Packaging Guidelines

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