On Mon, Jan 05, 2004 at 04:05:49PM -0500, Jeremy Erwin wrote: > It's just like GNU except that > a) Mainline has the right to make modifications to the software that > are substantially similar to user modifications, but need not release > it's modifications under an open-source license. Technically, the FSF > has the right to release gcc in closed source form (as it owns the > copyright to all modifications, as well as to the original work. > However, it's not likely that they would exercise such a right.
This is very different than the GPL. The FSF requires (for most projects) that copyright be assigned to them before inclusion. This nonstandard license states that they can own work that you make to their code. It doesn't stop the license from being free, but it isn't very fair. > b) the license states numerous times that modifications to the source > code (including such modifications as required by the fink package) > shall be clearly labeled as modifications, and that the version number > should reflect the fact that it has been modified. The GPL requires that modifications be clearly stated. Specifically: 2a) You must cause the modified files to carry prominent notices stating that you changed the files and the date of any change. The GPL doesn't specify a version number change, however. Fink "distributes" its changes as patches, which automatically qualify under this term (the patch itself is essentially a prominent notice of which files, when, and what is changed). The only additional requirement is the the version number reflect it as a non-standard version. Perhaps n.n-fink-1 or something like that? > c) you cannot use "Mainline" in advertising literature. (reverse of the > BSD advertising clause?) This is common in many of the free licenses. It is not an advertising clause, and does not affect the freeness of the code. Have you investigated whether or not Debian has packaged this software? If so, debian-legal probably has a fairly long discussion of the license in their archives. (Also, if they decided that they couldn't package it). Dave Brown ------------------------------------------------------- This SF.net email is sponsored by: IBM Linux Tutorials. Become an expert in LINUX or just sharpen your skills. Sign up for IBM's Free Linux Tutorials. Learn everything from the bash shell to sys admin. Click now! http://ads.osdn.com/?ad_id=1278&alloc_id=3371&op=click _______________________________________________ Fink-devel mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/fink-devel
