Unfortunately, even after two tries there have been insufficient comments on the Adaptive Public License. Maybe the third's the charm?
Title: Adaptive Public License
Submission: http://www.crynwr.com/cgi-bin/ezmlm-cgi?3:mss:6913:200305: bogcdnbbhnfbgpdeahob
License: http://www.mamook.net/APL.html
So, I'm curious what the OSI position is on "model licenses" like this. Does having a semi-modular license like this actually simplify the task of OSI approval? Or is it easier to let people modify their own licenses as they see fit?
I think the reason there's few opinions is that it is so darn complicated (even by Open Source standards!). The most complicated part is that I can't tell whether the license terms are *always* fixed for a given Initial Work. Could the author perhaps clarify that? It also might help if the author could summarize:
- which clauses are relevant to OSI certification
- which clauses are different from existing OSI licenses
- the patent philosophy (which I couldn't parse)
-- Ernie P. IANAL, TINLA, etc. etc.
FWIW, here's some of what I see as the most relevant sections, but the list isn't exhaustive.
1.7. "INDEPENDENT MODULE" means a separate module of software and/or data that is not a derivative work of or copied from the Licensed Work or any portion thereof. In addition, a module does not qualify as an Independent Module but instead forms part of the Licensed Work if the module: (a) is embedded in the Licensed Work; (b) is included by reference in the Licensed Work other than by a function call or a class reference; or (c) must be included or contained, in whole or in part, within a file directory or subdirectory actually containing files making up the Licensed Work.
1.18. "SUBSEQUENT WORK" means a work that has resulted or arises from changes to and/or additions to:
(a) the Initial Work;
(b) any other Subsequent Work; or
(c) to any combination of the Initial Work and any such other Subsequent Work;
where such changes and/or additions originate from a Subsequent Contributor. A Subsequent Work will "originate" from a Subsequent Contributor if the Subsequent Work was a result of efforts by such Subsequent Contributor (or anyone acting on such Subsequent Contributor's behalf, such as, a contractor or other entity that is engaged by or under the direction of the Subsequent Contributor). For greater certainty, a Subsequent Work expressly excludes and shall not capture within its meaning any Independent Module.
3.6. INDEPENDENT MODULES.
This License shall not apply to Independent Modules of any Initial Contributor, Subsequent Contributor, Distributor or any Recipient, and such Independent Modules may be licensed or made available under one or more separate license agreements.
3.7. LARGER WORKS.
Any Distributor or Recipient may create or contribute to a Larger Work by combining any of the Licensed Work with other code not governed by the terms of this License, and may distribute the Larger Work as one or more products. However, in any such case, Distributor or Recipient (as the case may be) must make sure that the requirements of this License are fulfilled for the Licensed Work portion of the Larger Work.
(b) The Initial Contributor may at any time introduce requirements or add to or change earlier requirements (in each case, the "EARLIER DESCRIPTION REQUIREMENTS") for documenting changes resulting in Subsequent Works by revising Part 1 of each copy of the Supplement File distributed by the Initial Contributor with future copies of the Licensed Work so that Part 1 then contains new requirements (the "NEW DESCRIPTION REQUIREMENTS") for documenting such changes.
-- license-discuss archive is at http://crynwr.com/cgi-bin/ezmlm-cgi?3
