Re: summary of software licenses in non-free
13-Jan-04 14:52 Branden Robinson wrote:
> I personally[1] would maintain that a requirement to change a filename
> is an unacceptable restriction on one's freedom to modify the work. The
> LaTeX Project no longer appears to be interested in contending this
> issue, and I know of no other copyright holder of software packaged by
> the Debian Project who does.
Even if situation with TeX, Metafont and Computer Modern fonts is
moot, I think there are other examples from the TeX world with a
requirement to change a filename. First, other files by Knuth:
plain.tex
% This is the plain TeX format that's described in The TeXbook.
% N.B.: A version number is defined at the very end of this file;
% please change that number whenever the file is modified!
% And don't modify the file unless you change its name:
% Everybody's "plain.tex" file should be the same, worldwide.
% Unlimited copying and redistribution of this file are permitted as long
% as this file is not modified. Modifications are permitted, but only if
% the resulting file is not named plain.tex.
hyphen.tex
% The Plain TeX hyphenation tables [NOT TO BE CHANGED IN ANY WAY!]
% Unlimited copying and redistribution of this file are permitted as long
% as this file is not modified. Modifications are permitted, but only if
% the resulting file is not named hyphen.tex.
Second, files by AMS (amslatex and amstex). Typical comment from
their file:
%%% copyright = "Copyright 1995, 2000 American Mathematical Society,
%%% all rights reserved. Copying of this file is
%%% authorized only if either:
%%% (1) you make absolutely no changes to your copy,
%%% including name; OR
%%% (2) if you do make changes, you first rename it
%%% to some other name.",
(Quotes are taken from files on CTAN.)
Sasha
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