The audioop module contains a comment that is somewhat troubling from an 
IP standpoint:

  /* Code shamelessly stolen from sox, 12.17.7, g711.c
   ** (c) Craig Reese, Joe Campbell and Jeff Poskanzer 1989 */

Because of this it would be best to remove the current module and re-
implement it from scratch (or remove it entirely).

I would support removing this in Py3k. It seems like a specialty module
not worth having in the standard library. Also, is this even being
maintained?

It is, as most "old" standard modules, not actively maintained, but
there is always the chance that somebody will fix bugs as they are
reported :)

Anyway, the algorithms in it won't change, and if you want its removal I
predict there will be many people crying out.

I found severe bugs (which may lead to security vulnerabilities) in audioop: #7673. Nobody fixed these errors (but my issue contains a patch).

Current status: no lawsuit yet.

The license from http://sox.sourcearchive.com/documentation/12.17.7/g711_8c-source.html

/*
 * This source code is a product of Sun Microsystems, Inc. and is provided
 * for unrestricted use.  Users may copy or modify this source code without
 * charge.
 *
 * SUN SOURCE CODE IS PROVIDED AS IS WITH NO WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND INCLUDING
 * THE WARRANTIES OF DESIGN, MERCHANTIBILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR
 * PURPOSE, OR ARISING FROM A COURSE OF DEALING, USAGE OR TRADE PRACTICE.
 *
 * Sun source code is provided with no support and without any obligation on
 * the part of Sun Microsystems, Inc. to assist in its use, correction,
 * modification or enhancement.
 *
 * SUN MICROSYSTEMS, INC. SHALL HAVE NO LIABILITY WITH RESPECT TO THE
 * INFRINGEMENT OF COPYRIGHTS, TRADE SECRETS OR ANY PATENTS BY THIS SOFTWARE
 * OR ANY PART THEREOF.
 *
 * In no event will Sun Microsystems, Inc. be liable for any lost revenue
 * or profits or other special, indirect and consequential damages, even if
 * Sun has been advised of the possibility of such damages.
 *
 * Sun Microsystems, Inc.
 * 2550 Garcia Avenue
 * Mountain View, California  94043
 */

That seems compatible with Python's licensing, no?  It seems like adding this license text to the file and also to the documentation in http://docs.python.org/license.html#licenses-and-acknowledgements-for-incorporated-software would make this a non-issue.  Assessment of the module's contents and whether it should be rewritten or removed seems like a separate issue.

I could write up a patch if people think that this would solve the problem.

Audioop was not removed in 3.x; the security bugs have been fixed; and no lawsuit. I agree with Aaron about modifying 2 files. I would also change 'shamelessly stolen' to 'taken'. IP is no longer something to joke about.

Van: what do you think?  I can prepare a patch for Aaron's suggested changes.

PR has been sent.