[g_dlegal@zewt.org: Re: draft for new Vim license]
Glenn Maynard wrote:
> On Mon, Jan 07, 2002 at 12:58:44PM +0100, Bram Moolenaar wrote:
> > > 2) A user of the modified Vim must be able to see that it was modified, at
> > > least in the version information and in the intro screen.
> > >
> > > The GPL has a similar kind of requirement, but this is more specific,
> > > hence not GPL-compatible.
> >
> > I could not find the similar requirement in the GPL. What would be the
> > similar requirement that is GPL-compatible?
>
> 2 A, I think.
>
> a) You must cause the modified files to carry prominent notices
> stating that you changed the files and the date of any change.
Hmm, this only says the files must include a notice. The executable
might not display the notice, thus a user might not be able to see he is
using a modified version.
This clause 2) was not in the previous version of the Vim license, thus
this is actually a separate discussion. I could remove this clause, but
I'm a bit worried about someone making a nasty change and distributing
the result that looks just like the original Vim. Doesn't the GPL
somehow prevent this from happening?
> > If I include 3e, distribution being allowed under the GPL, the remaining
> > problem is that if someone makes changes to Vim and puts the GPL on
> > those changes, I can't include the changes back into the official Vim,
> > because it would mean 3e applies to Vim as a whole and the rest of the
> > license is worthless. I will have to think about this, and ask Vim
> > developers what they think of it.
>
> By this (rather authoritative) definition, for your license to be GPL-
> compatible, this must be allowed, whether you explicitely say so or not.
> Are you just trying to make it GPL compatible without saying so
> explicitely, in the fear that it would make it happen more often?
Making the Vim license compatible with GPL makes life easier for a lot
of persons. But I indeed try to avoid that people make changes to Vim
and use the GPL for those changes, because it would prevent me from
including these changes in the official Vim.
--
TIM: Too late.
ARTHUR: What?
TIM: There he is!
[They all turn,, and see a large white RABBIT lollop a few yards out of the
cave. Accompanied by terrifying chord and jarring metallic monster noise.]
"Monty Python and the Holy Grail" PYTHON (MONTY) PICTURES LTD
/// Bram Moolenaar -- Bram@moolenaar.net -- http://www.moolenaar.net \\\
((( Creator of Vim -- http://vim.sf.net -- ftp://ftp.vim.org/pub/vim )))
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