Hi MJ, Wed, 14 Jan 2004 12:26:53 +0000, MJ Ray wrote: > On 2004-01-14 11:53:08 +0000 Roland Stigge <stigge@antcom.de> wrote: >> Subject: The license of LaTeX2HTML > I think "Re: " is more normal for British letters and placed below > the salutation. I would prefer the current German DIN-Brief (Deutsche Industrie-Norm) format, because I know it best. But feel free to recommend another LaTeX document style. Besides, isn't "Re:" the abbrev. for "Reply"? The letter is not a reply. >> The reason I am writing to you is that there is some uncertainty about >> the ownership of the copyright that vests in LaTeX2HTML. Mr Drakos >> has signalled a > I'd replace "that vests in" with "of" OK, since you are not the first DD who doesn't like "vest", I will just change it. :) >> willingness to change the licensing terms for LaTeX2HTML but wonders if he >> needs your permission or support to do so due to the fact that he was employed >> by the University at the time of creating the software. As a precaution, we >> would like your written agreement to change the license terms for LaTeX2HTML >> from its current license to the GNU General Public License (GPL) >> (Verbatim copies of these two licenses are enclosed.). > It may be good to offer them the alternative to disclaim it. "As a precaution, > we would like you to disclaim any copyright interest in LaTeX2HTML, or give > written agreement..." I don't think that this would be a good idea. While it could make them hesitate to reply / agree to my questions, the benefit would be minimal. After all, they (if at all) have only part of the copyright in LaTeX2HTML. btw: What do DDs with "written permissions" do? Is there a central place to collect them? >> The current license for LaTeX2HTML was unquestionably written as a Free >> Software / Open Source license, however one aspect of the license causes the >> Debian project difficulties. > This seems just plain wrong. If it prevents any fee being charged, isn't that > neither free software nor open source? I will probably replace "written" with "intended". I hope this makes it more clear. >> * Debian is not the only project distributing LaTeX2HTML. Other distributions >> of the popular GNU/Linux system like RedHat and SuSE and >> different BSD derivates also use LaTeX2HTML and probably have the same >> problem. > "...and will notice it in the future."? Rather, I think that even if "the others" know about, they just don't care. But that's only my personal impression. (Am I too honest for this job at legal issues? ;) Thanks for your suggestions. bye, Roland
Attachment:
signature.asc
Description: This is a digitally signed message part