George Danchev writes: > Hello -legal, > > I'm currently packaging sofia-sip.org SIP User Agent library which is > licensed under LGPL [1]. There is also a large file populated with several > copyrights [2] related to the code as used and distributed by the some of the > library files. I did not spot any brutal non-DFSG issues, but since it is > large and complex I'd like to read some opinions from any sharp eyed > criticists. However I'm a little bit puzzled by the "Restricted Rights" as > mentioned within the paragraph pasted below [3] when it comes to GOVERNMENT > USE and DoD usages ?
That kind of clause is generally used with proprietary COTS software to make it clear that the government did not pay for the development of the software and does not get "Unlimited rights" to it per 252.227-7013(b)(1). For example, when a project enters a new phase and a different contractor wins the phase than who won the previous phase, the government can give copies of "Unlimited rights" works to the new contract winner. This helps the government get a little more mileage from its money and alleviates contractor "lock-in" for the life of a project. I suspect the reason to include it in open source software is similar, ensuring that copyleft licenses keep effect when the government passes a copy of the covered software to another party. You would probably have to talk to the license writer's legal counsel to be 100% sure. Michael Poole -- To UNSUBSCRIBE, email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with a subject of "unsubscribe". Trouble? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED]