Re: draft for new Vim license
Henning Makholm wrote:
> Scripsit Bram Moolenaar <Bram@moolenaar.net>
> > Thomas Bushnell wrote:
>
> > > Ah yes, I missed that last part. So it does seem to me that it is not
> > > GPL compatible, as long as it wants to reserve the right to include
> > > changes in future vim distributions, which themselves might be
> > > released under nonfree terms.
>
> > But so long as changes are only included using the Vim license, would
> > there be any problem?
>
> From Vim's point of view, the entire GPL'ed code constitute an
> addition (a special case of a "change"), so it is all subject to the
> conditions you apply to changes.
Yes. Thus if you add code and put it under the GPL, then the GPL would
apply to the whole (if I understand the GPL correctly). So the question
is if this would cause a conflict with the Vim license, which would
prohibit you from distributing this version. I don't know the GPL well
enough to judge about this.
> If you want to exempt, say, the addition of library code from your
> conditions on modifications in general, you need to add language
> in the license text that says so explicitly. (And doing so may not
> be a trivial task if you do not want to introduce loopholes that
> allow people to disguise essential part of their contributions as
> undisclosed library code).
Compiling Vim with libraries is not considered changing Vim. This falls
under the first item, generating an executable from an unmodified Vim.
Only when you would add a library and call a function in it, you would
be modifying Vim. So you could play tricks by adding a library that
replaces a tactical function, which is called without changing Vim.
Well, good luck with this unmodified version of Vim! :-)
--
ARTHUR: You fight with the strength of many men, Sir knight.
I am Arthur, King of the Britons. [pause]
I seek the finest and the bravest knights in the land to join me
in my Court of Camelot. [pause]
You have proved yourself worthy; will you join me? [pause]
You make me sad. So be it. Come, Patsy.
BLACK KNIGHT: None shall pass.
The Quest for the Holy Grail (Monty Python)
/// Bram Moolenaar -- Bram@moolenaar.net -- http://www.moolenaar.net \\\
((( Creator of Vim -- http://vim.sf.net -- ftp://ftp.vim.org/pub/vim )))
\\\ Help me helping AIDS orphans in Uganda - http://iccf-holland.org ///
Reply to: