Alfred M. Szmidt wrote: > Is this the appropriate list for general GPL discussions? > > Sure.
Are you guys aware of the dispute over some of the code in the former Lycoris distro, namely Iris, and other Desktop LX packages? I am attempting to get some input while I am awaiting further information on this issue. I wrote two articles previously about this: http://lxer.com/module/newswire/view/46680/index.html http://lxer.com/module/newswire/view/46843/index.html Essentially, by admission, Mandriva has not made the Iris code available, due to the fact that the code is sitting on a computer in storage. According to GPLv2, section 4, a user's right to "... copy, modify, sublicense or distribute the Program is void, and will automatically terminate your rights under this License." Some are charging that Lycoris never made source code available - not only for Iris, but for a number of other packages either. I understand that since Mandriva purchased Lycoris, or perhaps more accurately, some of Lycoris' assets, they have inherited Lycoris' legal obligations. Whether they bought the company or a limited set of assets seems to be up for dispute. Whether and how that affects the outcome is beyond me. Also, Mandriva is not currently distributing actual code from the Lycoris Desktop LX, but rather a re-implentation of that code (according to them). The FSF is not commenting, and GPL-Violation.org is starting to look into it as well. It seems a fairly complicated mess, and will likely be very difficult to enforce at this stage of the game. I have always held Mandrake/Mandriva in high regard, and am a strong supporter of the GPL. It is difficult to imagine that Mandriva has inherited a potentially serious legal headache. I wonder, to what extent is Mandriva really liable, especially if they have in fact inherited Lycoris' failure to comply with the GPL? While I think the community is largely very forgiving, what is the effect of the auto-termination clause? How should the community view this? Mandriva has promised to make the source code available as soon as they can physically access them (the code is on computers in the US, while the owner is in France). That, by itself doesn't void the auto-termination clause, though. One might be fairly lenient for another two or three months, but it would seem they are still on shaky legal ground if they attempt to distribute Iris. But what about the other GPL'ed packages? For instance, Bash and NCurses are among the programs that Lycoris allegedly failed to include sources for. I doubt Mandriva could be held responsible for that if they have been making the sources to these programs available themselves. However, if they have inherited Lycoris' legal obligations, then what? I hope my post is not too incoherent. I mainly wanted to get some input from folks who may be more experienced than myself with issues like this. Is it really a serious issue, or a "tempest in a teapot"? I appreciate your input. Regards, Don -- DC Parris The Freely Project (USA) www.thefreelyproject.org www.thefreelyproject.us _______________________________________________ Gnu-misc-discuss mailing list Gnu-misc-discuss@gnu.org http://lists.gnu.org/mailman/listinfo/gnu-misc-discuss