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Re: Debian based GNU/Solaris: pilot program



On Thu, 2005-11-03 at 20:00 +0000, Matthew Garrett wrote:
> Erast Benson <erast@gnusolaris.org> wrote:
> 
> > To make it happen, we need to resolve "dpkg" issue and initial boot
> > strapping process. Which is quite possible to re-write dpkg as CDDL
> > software. But to avoid duplication of work, it will be wise for Debian
> > community to release dpkg under LGPL license. Of course, if Debian
> > community serious about non-glibc ports. If not, I doubt Nexenta OS will
> > ever be part of Debian community and will continue its way more like
> > Ubunutu. Think about it.
> 
> I did a great deal of work on a non-glibc port of Debian. That wasn't a
> problem - the C library was under a GPL-compatible license. I've been
> waiting for a conclusion to the multiarch issue before pushing it any
> further.
> 
> However, as has already been pointed out to you, Debian has no control
> over the people who hold the copyright on dpkg. Knowing several of them
> personally, I'd be surprised if they're willing to relicense their code
> under a license that allows it to be used in proprietary projects. It's
> just not something that Debian's especially interested in.

ok not LGPL. LGPL is too restrictive comparing to CDDL. With LGPL one
will not be forced to contribute its changes back. But with CDDL - you
must contribute your changes back. It works similar to GPL but on
per-file basis.

If we could convince them that CDDL license is good enough to not give
their work to proprietary projects and that proprietary paying workers
will be forced to contribute back(under CDDL-terms), than they might
accept dpkg to be dual CDDL-GPL. Maybe.

Erast



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