[ubuntu-in] Is Shipping Ubuntu To INDIA Illegal????

[Sunil Ravikumar]

*Hello all....
I am a B.Tech Final year student in Computer science and Engg.I am from
cochin,Kerala,INDIA.*
*Our college supports open source softwares and activities of the free
software foundation.To promote Linux based OS's we have been using OS like
ubuntu over the years.*
*And as Ubuntu is a free software we are used to distribute the Ubuntu CD's
to school children as a part of our annual Linux Familiarization Workshop *
*I have requested ubuntu CD's at http://www.ubuntu.com/getubuntu many times
as and when the new releases were announced and got it shipped to my address
for free *
*I made my latest request on first week of Feb 2008 as the 7.10 version was
released.But last week i was shocked to receive a showcase notice from the
customs that i have violated the import rules by importing the ubuntu CD's
for free with out any import licenses(The notice says that according to the
rules you can receive gifts worth 2000 or less from abroad without import
license, but i am wondering how they can estimate the cost of something that
is free!!!) *
*Anyways i am directed to meet the Asst commissioner of local customs
department within 10 days of the receipt of the notice,the notice says if i
cant convince them then case will be registered *
*Have anyone ever heard of any such issues???please help me out...I really
fear that i will be the very first martyr for the free software in INDIA *

-- 
Regards ,

Sunil Ravikumar
Dept. Of Computer Science And Engg.
Govt. Model Engg. College
Cochin-21
Mob No # +919995405594
tr[dot]sunil[at]gmail[dot]com
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