Hello. We are packaging some of the software available at http://libre.adacore.com/download/configurations for the Debian distribution, and would like some clarification about a license issue. The issue has been detected for ASIS, but probably affects other packages as well.
The second paragraph in the webpage has changed since the last time we have checked that the licensing is compatible with redistribution by Debian. It now states The software on this page is made available under the Free Software licenses documented in the packages, typically the GNU General Public License (GPL). and the package carries a verbatim copy of the GPL version 3. According to this mail http://lists.adacore.com/pipermail/gtkada/2009-June/003789.html That's correct, headers on source file have no/little legal significance. The main and simple message is that all the software available via the libre site, including svn.eu.adacore.com/anonsvn is provided under the pure GPL license. some dubious headers may be ignored in the *software* source code. However, we are wondering whether the *documentation* is provided under the pure GPL license or under the GFDL with invariants parts and front cover texts. It contains a verbatim copy of the GFDL, and every printed document starts with an explicit statement: Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this document under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.1 or any later version published by the Free Software Foundation; with the Invariant Sections being ``GNU Free Documentation License'', with the Front-Cover Texts being ``ASIS-for-GNAT Reference Manual'', and with no Back-Cover Texts. We would appreciate a clarification, as the existence of invariant sections and cover texts would force us to remove the documentation from Debian. Thank you for your help. -- To UNSUBSCRIBE, email to [email protected] with a subject of "unsubscribe". Trouble? Contact [email protected] Archive: https://lists.debian.org/20140929191116.GB21972@pegase
