2015-09-28, 17:40
Are plugins which feature proxy and vpn redirection allowed in the official Kodi repository?
2015-09-29, 08:35
Do you mean that they circumvent or purposely workaround geolocks (geograpical locks) that would normally prehibit and restrict you from streaming a media file outside a specific geograpical region.
While that might technically not be piracy it may be breach of copyright since you are violating the EULA (End-User License Agreement) that the rightful content owner have specifically put on that media stream.
My guess is that if your plugin embedd the geolock circumvention within the media addon then that is probabably illegal in most countries, but I would however assume that is if the VPN part was instead a completly seperate generic VPN service addon that the users has to configure themselves to enable per media addon then that might be legal, or at least the user then need to take the active choice to install the seperate VPN service and go into it to activate configure it specifically for each media addon.
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Good question nonetheless, where should the line be drawn.
While that might technically not be piracy it may be breach of copyright since you are violating the EULA (End-User License Agreement) that the rightful content owner have specifically put on that media stream.
My guess is that if your plugin embedd the geolock circumvention within the media addon then that is probabably illegal in most countries, but I would however assume that is if the VPN part was instead a completly seperate generic VPN service addon that the users has to configure themselves to enable per media addon then that might be legal, or at least the user then need to take the active choice to install the seperate VPN service and go into it to activate configure it specifically for each media addon.
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Good question nonetheless, where should the line be drawn.
2015-09-29, 14:51
(2015-09-29, 08:35)RockerC Wrote: Do you mean that they circumvent or purposely workaround geolocks (geograpical locks) that would normally prehibit and restrict you from streaming a media file outside a specific geograpical region.
While that might technically not be piracy it may be breach of copyright since you are violating the EULA (End-User License Agreement) that the rightful content owner have specifically put on that media stream.
My guess is that if your plugin embedd the geolock circumvention within the media addon then that is probabably illegal in most countries, but I would however assume that is if the VPN part was instead a completly seperate generic VPN service addon that the users has to configure themselves to enable per media addon then that might be legal, or at least the user then need to take the active choice to install the seperate VPN service and go into it to activate configure it specifically for each media addon.
.
Good question nonetheless, where should the line be drawn.
This is my point exactly, It can be argued manipulation of the user agent header to circumvent access to urls would apply aswel.
I'd really like a Kodi Team Member to clear this up...
2015-09-30, 13:49
I don't think there are any rules against it so it should be fine.
http://kodi.wiki/view/Add-on_rules
http://kodi.wiki/view/Add-on_rules
2015-09-30, 15:04
it's a grey area for sure, and it will be tough to draw a clear line somewhere.
as such, i think every addon will have to be looked at individually.
imo the biggest concern is the public view people have of kodi.
we wish to distance ourselves from the idea that kodi is all about piracy and getting your content for free.
if, on the other hand, we support a repository filled with vpn/proxy/torrent/etc.. addons, i wonder if that will aid us in reaching that goal.
in case your addon needs proxy/vpn functionality in order to bypass certain geoip blocks,
you may have to ask yourself whether that would be legal or not...
and if such a bypass wouldn't violate the TOS of the website you're trying to access.
as such, i think every addon will have to be looked at individually.
imo the biggest concern is the public view people have of kodi.
we wish to distance ourselves from the idea that kodi is all about piracy and getting your content for free.
if, on the other hand, we support a repository filled with vpn/proxy/torrent/etc.. addons, i wonder if that will aid us in reaching that goal.
in case your addon needs proxy/vpn functionality in order to bypass certain geoip blocks,
you may have to ask yourself whether that would be legal or not...
and if such a bypass wouldn't violate the TOS of the website you're trying to access.
