Forwarded on behalf of Rafael. Alan __________________________ Alan W. Irwin
Astronomical research affiliation with Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Victoria (astrowww.phys.uvic.ca). Programming affiliations with the FreeEOS equation-of-state implementation for stellar interiors (freeeos.sf.net); PLplot scientific plotting software package (plplot.org); the libLASi project (unifont.org/lasi); the Loads of Linux Links project (loll.sf.net); and the Linux Brochure Project (lbproject.sf.net). __________________________ Linux-powered Science __________________________
--- Begin Message ---Enclosed below is an analysis of the CSIRO license done by Ben Finney in the debian-legal mailing list [1]. This started as Bug#500687 [2]. I agree with Ben's analysis. We have now a big problem, since we are illegally distributing the non-free libcsironn0 package in Debian (at least non DFSG-compliant, DFSG meaning the Debian Free Software Guidelines [3]). The options now are either drop the package from Debian or contact the upstream author and ask to re-license the code with a free license. Does any PLplot developer still have contact with Pavel Sakov? My recollection is that the CSIRO library was introduced by Joao Cardoso, but he seems to have ceased his PLplot-related activities. [1] http://lists.debian.org/debian-legal/2008/10/msg00012.html [2] http://bugs.debian.org/500687 [3] http://www.debian.org/social_contract#guidelines Cheers, Rafael ----- Forwarded message from Ben Finney <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> ----- From: Ben Finney <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Re: DFSG-compatibility of CSIRO license Date: Fri, 10 Oct 2008 09:43:09 +1100 To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> X-Mailing-List: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> archive/latest/39079 Rafael Laboissiere <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes: > Here is the README file: Thank you. > Copyright 2000-2002 CSIRO Marine Research Full copyright statement, including years and legal entity. Good. > There is no warranty whatsoever. Use at your own risk. Normal warranty disclaimer. No effect on DFSG status. Good. > These code may be freely redistributed under the condition that the > copyright notices are not removed. You may distribute modified > versions of this code UNDER THE CONDITION THAT THIS CODE AND ANY > MODIFICATIONS MADE TO IT IN THE SAME FILE REMAIN UNDER COPYRIGHT OF > CSIRO, BOTH SOURCE AND OBJECT CODE ARE MADE FREELY AVAILABLE WITHOUT > CHARGE, AND CLEAR NOTICE IS GIVEN OF THE MODIFICATIONS. This paragraph appears to be the full grant of license and terms. This, the copyright statement, and the warranty disclaimer, are the parts that would need to be included in full in the ‘debian/copyright’ file. Grants freedom to modify and redistribute, which is necessary for the work to be DFSG-free. Good. It's rather odd that, instead of requiring that the copyright *notice* be preserved, that the condition is for the “CODE AND ANY MODIFICATIONS MADE TO IT IN THE SAME FILE REMAIN UNDER COPYRIGHT OF CSIRO”. I'm not sure whether that's non-free; it seems to be a mandatory transfer of copyright to CSIRO. Forbids the redistributor from charging for source or object code. Non-free. BAD. Requires the modifier to give “CLEAR NOTICE … OF THE MODIFICATIONS”. We accept this as free in many other licenses and I see no reason to complain in this case. Good. Uses SHOUTY CAPITALS making the license terms harder to read, not clearer. Bad, but no effect on DFSG status. > Acknowledgments: > This library uses `Triangle' by Jonathan Richard Shewchuk for > Delaunay triangulation -- thanks, Richard, well done! No indication of what copyright or license accrues to this contribution. Does the code that is referenced here contain any more specific copyright or license information? My conclusion: Non-free because it forbids redistribution for a fee. Also questionable because of the apparent mandatory copyright transfer. You might want to discuss with upstream whether they can re-license the work under the terms of a well-known free software license; I would recommend the GNU GPL with “version 2 or later”, or Expat. -- \ “Self-respect: The secure feeling that no one, as yet, is | `\ suspicious.” —Henry L. Mencken | _o__) | Ben Finney ----- End forwarded message ----- -- Rafael
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