On Mon, Dec 04, 2006 at 04:56:46PM +0100, Karel Kulhavy wrote:
> Hello
>
> I am a co-author of Links and I can't see how the GPL is satisfied by how
> OpenBSD is distributing Links binaries.
>
> I downloaded a .tgz of Links binary from the FTP archive at
> ftp://ftp.openbsd.org/pub/OpenBSD/3.9/packages/i386/links+-2.1pre20p0-no_x11.tgz
> The distribution of binaries is covered by section 3 of GPL and there are 3
> possibilities how to comply:
>
> "a) Accompany it with the complete corresponding machine-readable source
> code, which must be distributed under the terms of Sections 1 and 2 above on a
> medium customarily used for software interchange; or,"
>
> I didn't find a copy of source code in the .tgz. The FTP directory doesn't
> seem to contain source code of Links and it doesn't contain a README saying
> where
> the source is to be downloaded.
>
> "b) Accompany it with a written offer, valid for at least three years, to give
> any third party, for a charge no more than your cost of physically performing
> source distribution, a complete machine-readable copy of the corresponding
> source code, to be distributed under the terms of Sections 1 and 2 above on a
> medium customarily used for software interchange; or,"
>
> no written offer in the .tgz
>
> "c) Accompany it with the information you received as to the offer to
> distribute corresponding source code. (This alternative is allowed only for
> noncommercial distribution and only if you received the program in object code
> or executable form with such an offer, in accord with Subsection b above.)"
>
> Didn't find any such information inside, or in a README in that directory.
>
> GPL further reads:
> "If distribution of executable or object code is made by offering access to
> copy from a designated place, then offering equivalent access to copy the
> source code from the same place counts as distribution of the source code,
> even
> though third parties are not compelled to copy the source along with the
> object
> code."
>
> From this I have a feeling that the Links distribution of OpenBSD doesn't
> accord to the terms of GPL. Do you have an argument to convince me that I am
> wrong?
>
> I came to this by chance when I was searching for the source of Transcode
> distributed with OpenBSD, but couldn't find it.
>
Please contact the MAINTAINER= of the port first. They will address your
concerns.
