comments inserted [mlp] ----- Original Message ----- From: "JohnLeo Zimmer, MD" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Thursday, August 23, 2007 7:29 AM
> Thanks for the comparison, Fred. > What we still lack, I'd suggest, is a mechanism for releasing the > WorldVistA EHR codebase under a CentOS-style badge. I think WorldVistA > itself needs to take such a step. [mlp] We have. > > Our situation is a little more analogous to "Linux --> CentOS --> RHEL" > in that FOIA VistA --> WorldVistA pre-CCHIT --> WorldVistA EHR CCHIT. > > WorldVistA has built the EHR and then added CCHIT certification. The > certification is in some sense a value-added fork from the underlying > codebase. It needs to be released in that manner just as you describe. > One difference is that we lack a separate CentOS sort of organization. > WorldVistA needs to perform that function as well. > > Joseph can correct me, but I think the name "WorldVistA EHR" is now the > CCHIT brand name, use of which must imply the licensing that preserves > CCHIT. [mlp] We use WorldVistA EHR(tm) for both. CCHIT certification applies to a particular version -- currently it is: WorldVistA EHR VOE/ 1.0. For the non-certified, we are using the "field test" tag, FT. The tag may change, but the non-certified code will always be available. Also subject to change is where to find it. Currently, WorldVistA EHR v1.0 FT-01 is available at Source Forge: http://sourceforge.net/project/showfiles.php?group_id=193652 > > We need a clear brand name for the code sans-CCHIT, > perhaps "WV EHR FOSS" [mlp] FOSS was suggested, but for now, FT is the non-certified version. > > IMHO, > JohnLeoZ > > > Fred Trotter wrote: >> WorldVistA EHR is using the CCHIT certification in a similar fashion >> that many FOSS companies use trademarks. For instance CentOS can use >> the GPL codebase of RHEL, but they cannot call it RHEL or otherwise >> use the term "Red Hat" in marketing. In a similar fashion, WorldVistA >> EHR can be forked and used to create another product, but that new >> product cannot be called "WorldVistA EHR" or refer to the CCHIT >> certified status of the WorldVistA EHR in marketing. This is a >> completely legitimate from a software freedom perspective. Everyone >> can have access to the code in a fashions that respect the four >> freedoms. Those who wish to pay WorldVistA for the privilege, and >> abide by the software maintenance policy, can use both the name and >> advertise CCHIT certification. >> >> I wish it were going faster but this is very important to get right. >> WorldVistA is moving into uncharted waters! I can think of no other >> FOSS industry with these kinds of complex issues. >
