[was Re: Debian based GNU/Solaris: pilot program] On Thu, 3 Nov 2005, Matthew Garrett wrote:
Remember that dpkg is GPLed, so there's a slightly awkward bootstrapping issue.
This reminds me of an issue which I feel needs change but I've never felt worked up enough to do anything about.
Why do programs written specifically for Debian such as dpkg or apt, have a license which is not compatible with some other DFSG-compliant licenses? I understand we like the GPL but the DFSG is laxer in some respects. And the spirit of Debian is the DFSG not the GPL.
I submit anything written specifically for the Debian Project should either have some more permissive yet DFSG-compliant license or at the most GPL + an exemption for linking to other DFSG compliant software.
-- Jaldhar H. Vyas <jaldhar@debian.org> La Salle Debain - http://www.braincells.com/debian/