License compatibility between OGC works and Debian
Hi,
Hopefully this is the right contact for this kind of legal question. If
not, can you tell me whom I should contact instead?
During the packaging process of TinyOWS for Debian the ftp-masters
rejected the package because the OGC Document Notice is incompatible
with the Debian Free Software Guidelines (DFSG). [1]
Because the OGC Document Notice doesn't allow modification of works
under its terms, it is incompatible with DFSG#3 which requires
modifications be allowed. [2]
The OGC licensed files shipped with TinyOWS are the schemas and WFS CITE
tests.
The schemas are licensed under the terms of the OGC Software Notice
according to the legalfaq. [3]
And I assume that the testcases are covered by the OGC Software Notice
too, although both the testcase and the schemas only ship the OGC
Document Notice as their LICENSE file.
The Software Notice states in the first paragraph:
By obtaining, using and/or copying this work, you (the licensee) agree
that you have read, understood, and will comply with the following
terms and conditions.
Does this mean that when the TinyOWS package is installed we must prompt
the user with text of the Software Notice and the option to agree/cancel?
The legalfaq states that schemas are only covered by the Software Notice
as long as modified versions do not use the same namespace. This may be
not fall under the DFSG#4 exceptions which allow some flexibility for
restricting modifications when the requirement is a different name or
version number from the original software. [4]
Can you clarify under which terms the WFS CITE tests are covered, the
Document Notice and/or Software Notice?
Kind Regards,
Bas
References:
[1]
http://lists.alioth.debian.org/pipermail/pkg-grass-devel/2014-January/017300.html
[2] http://www.debian.org/social_contract
[3] http://www.opengeospatial.org/ogc/legalfaq#DTD
[4]
http://lists.alioth.debian.org/pipermail/pkg-grass-devel/2014-January/017321.html
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