Re: DFSG and GPL -- source retention
Robert Woodcock <rcw@debian.org> wrote:
> They are not legally obligated to publically redistribute the sources
> if they are publically redistributing the binaries. Therefore this
> entire discussion is pointless and can end here, since there is no GPL
> violation, only nitpicking about whether or not we are providing a
> valid written offer.
I disagree. See below.
> Mirrors which are concerned about this should write such a written
> offer and put it in their .message file in the top level of their
> debian archive (I see no reason why such an offer would take more than
> 3-4 lines).
This refers to section 3c of the GPL, see below.
> >From the GPL:
>
> 3. You may copy and distribute the Program (or a work based on it,
> under Section 2) in object code or executable form under the terms of
> Sections 1 and 2 above provided that you also do one of the following:
So what follows is a requirement -- you get to pick one of three options.
> a) Accompany it with the complete corresponding machine-readable
> source code, which must be distributed under the terms of Sections
> 1 and 2 above on a medium customarily used for software interchange; or,
This works for mirrors which mirror source.
> b) Accompany it with a written offer, valid for at least three
> years, to give any third party, for a charge no more than your
> cost of physically performing source distribution, a complete
> machine-readable copy of the corresponding source code, to be
> distributed under the terms of Sections 1 and 2 above on a medium
> customarily used for software interchange; or,
This is what I'm suggesting we do, in support of:
> c) Accompany it with the information you received as to the offer
> to distribute corresponding source code. (This alternative is
> allowed only for noncommercial distribution and only if you
> received the program in object code or executable form with such
> an offer, in accord with Subsection b above.)
This is what you're suggesting a binary-only mirror do. But, right
now we have no 3b mirrors, so there is no written offer to pass on.
Perhaps you missed that parenthetical note at the end of 3c?
--
Raul
Reply to: