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dh_copyright (was: Re: Seeking new members for the DFSG team (Re: Bits from the DPL))



Adrian Bunk <bunk@debian.org> writes:

> A better workflow would be something like:
> - a dh_copyright creates and updates debian/copyright
> - the build aborts on non-trivial changes[1]
> - the maintainer reviews the changes when the build aborted
>   (including after the initial packaging)

Yes!  What do you think about designing it similar to how we handle
debian/*.symbols file?  That is, dh_copyright would generate a
debian/copyright based on upstream source code and compare that with
debian/copyright and barf on diffs?  With some suitable override or hint
mechanism for known mis-interpretations.

I have had good success using 'licenserecon' for verifying license
compliance in many packages, but I have yet to find a good enough
mechanism to curate the debian/copyright file from upstream sources.

I think the output of this tool doesn't have to be perfect, if the
hint/override mechanism is human-friendly and easy to use so that
maintainers can somehow force the debian/copyright output to what they
want.

Having automated copyright generation with human assistance seems better
than human maintained copyright files.  I think it would lead to better
quality debian/copyright content, fewer errors, and reduce maintainer
cycles.

> It would also be good to discuss with a lawyer what actual legal 
> requirements are.
...
> It is not clear to me whether debian/copyright is required for legal
> reasons at all,[2]

Reproducing whatever upstream say about copyright and licensing is
probably sufficient and the right thing to do regardless.

/Simon

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