John Mark Ockerbloom wrote: > We're developing software to work with various packages we're using or > considering in our library, including Fedora, Sakai, and other Kuali > projects. Sakai and Kuali software uses the Educational Community > License (ECL), as did Fedora 2. I see that Fedora 3 has moved to the > Apache license. The ECL appears to be the same as the Apache license, > but with slightly more limited patent grants; and it doesn't appear > to be used as often. > > As we consider releasing some of our software as open source (and looking > to get university approval for this), we have some questions on the two > licenses. > > -- What were the reasons for Fedora moving from ECL to Apache? Was > it simply that the Apache license is better-known, or were there > specific compatibility or patent issues, or something else? > > Primarily because of familiarity outside the educational community. As you noted the licenses are the same except for the patent statement which can be interpreted as "we can't tell you about what we don't know about." > -- Are there problems with releasing software for the Fedora community > under ECL? > None that I am aware. ECL is a very compatible license for this purpose. > (I'm presuming anything meant to be included in the Fedora repository > software release itself would need to use Apache, since that's the > agreed-on license for that software. But are there any problems > or issues with using ECL for other community-developed software meant > to be used in conjunction with Fedora, such as something that might > go in the Community Software Registry?) > > Not all included products need to be Apache 2 if they are used properly within the terms of their license. However, it simplifies things if an "open open" license like Apache2, ECL, BSD and others are used. The Fedora documentation contains an itemized list of products incorporated in our distribution and their licenses. Fedora Commons (Duraspace) can only issue a license on software which they hold the intellectual property rights but can incorporate or distribute community-developed products with compatible licenses or where permission is granted. Note: I am not qualified to provide a legal opinion but this is my current understanding.
It makes it easier to obtain authorization from the legal offices of users if software in FC distributions are provided under an "open open" license and ECL is very good even if it less familiar than Apache. Please make a distinction between software which Fedora Commons/Duraspace registers and software which Fedora Commons/Duraspace distributes. There are products in the registry which are issued under various licenses but only a small number which FC distributes; most of the products are distributed by their owners. Using an open-open license provides the maximum flexibility for the community, including FC, to bundle software and is encouraged. > -- Are there compatibility or transition problems between ECL and Apache > in the Fedora context that we should be aware of? > > None that I am aware. > Thanks for any answer or pointers you might give. > > John Mark Ockerbloom > > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ > Come build with us! The BlackBerry® Developer Conference in SF, CA > is the only developer event you need to attend this year. Jumpstart your > developing skills, take BlackBerry mobile applications to market and stay > ahead of the curve. Join us from November 9-12, 2009. Register now! > http://p.sf.net/sfu/devconf > _______________________________________________ > Fedora-commons-developers mailing list > [email protected] > https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/fedora-commons-developers > -- Daniel W. Davis Cornell University Fedora Commons Affiliate http://fedora-commons.org [email protected] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Come build with us! The BlackBerry® Developer Conference in SF, CA is the only developer event you need to attend this year. Jumpstart your developing skills, take BlackBerry mobile applications to market and stay ahead of the curve. Join us from November 9-12, 2009. Register now! http://p.sf.net/sfu/devconf _______________________________________________ Fedora-commons-developers mailing list [email protected] https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/fedora-commons-developers
