[tex-live] verbatimcopy package missing

[Reinhard Kotucha]

Rolf Niepraschk writes:
 > Norbert Preining schrieb:
 > ...
 > > 
 > > Still, there is CTAN, people can get whatever they miss from there.
 > 
 > Will be exist non-free TeXLive packages for download from CTAN in the
 > future (similar to "getnonfreefonts")?

Regarding getnonfreefonts, I discussed it briefly with Karl.
Theoretically getnonfreefonts could also provide nonfree macro
packages.  But we both assumed that this will probably encourage
people not to provide a resonable license.

Now we have tlmgr and maybe it can install packages which do not
comply with the Debian/TeX Live rules.  There are obviously different
definitions for the word "free".  If someone uploads a PDF file to
CTAN and the license sais that it can freely be used and distributed,
then it's free.  It can be downloaded from CTAN, and it can shipped
with MikTeX too, even if no sources are provided.  

Insisting on the sources which created the PDF file is a Debian/TeX
Live issue.  It's fine that Christian distributes them.  His users are
very grateful and he doesn't violate any license.

Rolf, please apologize that I cite your question again, but it is
quite strange.
 
 > Will be exist non-free TeXLive packages for download from CTAN in the
 > future (similar to "getnonfreefonts")?

You obviously have getnonfreefonts in mind and propose that tlmgr
could do something similar.  But getnonfreefonts follows TeX Live
guidelines and its only purpose is to provide fonts which come with
the unfortunate "nosell" license.  They can't be put on a DVD which
issupposed to be sold.

No, tlmgr can't solve the problem regarding missing source files.
It's TeX Live policy not to distribute such files.  If the files are
not good enough for the  DVD, they are definitely not good
enough for tlmgr either. 

If people can download the files using tlmgr, why can't them be
shipped with the DVD?  Quite bizarre.

Regards,
  Reinhard

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