>> Given that copyright prohibits modification, and the license doesn't >> grant permission for modifications, I think it's not enough for freedoms >> #1 and #3 to be respected :-( >> > > (3) any unapproved changes in functionality are either > (i) only distributed as patches > or (ii) distributed as a new program which is not called 9wm > and whose documentation gives credit where it is due > > > this provides for a change .................. > > it expects a change ..... > > you need to do (i) or (ii) depending on how you implement the change > > it is like mozilla
I agree, that does seem to allow for modification very explicitely. If the modification is approved by the authors/copyright holders, it will be included in the original 9wm, if not you have to either distribute it as a patch, or call your results by a different name. Seems to be doing nothing more than protecting the author's reputation. Personally, I think it's excessive - after all the GPL achieves the exact same goal by simply requiring that contributors sign their changes in the comments and have done so effectively for a long time - but I don't see it as in any way restricting any of the four freedoms. I can still modify it, I can still redistribute my changes (albeit possibly under a new name), I can still copy it for a friend and there doesn't seem to be any restrictions on what purpose I may use it for. In short - I think it does qualify as a free software license, though a rather pedantic and obscure one. Perhaps we should submit this one to the FSF themselves for a final clarification ? In particular, there is a question mark over GPL compatibility. If it's found free, it should be listed on the free licenses page, if not, then it should be clarified. In the latter case, I think the current holders of this copyright should also be notified of the decision - and the reasons for it. It seems to me like their genuine intent was for it to be free software, so if a small technicality is preventing that - there's a good chance they will be amiable at having this pointed out and resolve it with a license update. Ciao A.J. -- A.J. Venter Tel.: +27 21 554 5059 Fax: +27 11 252 9197 Lead developer: Kongoni GNU/Linux www.kongoni.co.za www.outkastsolutions.co.za A division of Global Pact Trading Pty Ltd. www.silentcoder.co.za - Blog scartoonz.silentcoder.co.za - ScarToonz webcomic