[Scribus] Inkscape and Gimp

[Christoph Schäfer]

Am Freitag, 2. Juni 2006 07:04 schrieb Christopher Sawtell:
> On Friday 02 June 2006 03:43, pixelnate wrote:
> > >> I think it would be a great feature if scribus could import directly
> > >> from Inkscape and Gimp as happens to Adobe applications. Some kind of
> > >> interativity among the programs.
> > >> S?lvio
> >
> > Another great feature would be cmyk support in both programs, also like
> > in the Adobe Creative Suite. I would much rather see that happen than to
> > get a 'smart objects' feature in each.
>
> Wouldn't we all, but note:-
> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pantone
> http://www.freepatentsonline.com/5283671.html

The problem with spot colours is that they are protected by copyrights. While 
I originally thought this is ridiculous, I have to admit that it seems 
reasonable to me now. Companies like Pantone put a huge amount of work in 
reliable colour values (and tables) for output on different devices and on 
different surfaces. This is _not_ easy. But the idea of spot colours itself 
is not patented. It would be worthwhile to create a free spot colour library, 
but this takes time, a _lot_ of work and expensive equipment for testing 
purposes.

As for using the CMYK colour space, this isn't problem at all. Scribus does 
this for quite some time now. That doesn't mean a litigous company, some kind 
of "graphics SCO", will one day _not_ think about suing FOSS projects for 
implementing spot colours or MYK, but none of the Scribus developers is 
living in the United States. How would a U.S. law firm try to enforce bogus 
patents in a European jurisdiction where software patents are invalid?

>
> Which mean that you will have to offer those additions as patches delivered
> from a Free World country.
>
> It's the Intellectual Property Dictatorship which should be ashamed of
> itself, not some poor little, law abiding, FLOSS author.

Be careful with your wording. In Common Law countries "intellectual property" 
laws are the only means of defending FOSS! In Roman Law countries the concept 
doesn't exist, but the author's rights applied here provide similar means of 
defending the freedom of software. That doesn't mean I want to justify the 
excesses of MPAA, BSA and other extortionionists, but IMHO you have to look 
at both sides of the coin.

And, again, implementing CMYK or CIELab (a public standard!) is not prevented 
by any (U.S.) patents.

Cheers,

Christoph