Re: Fields of Endeavor (was Re: [Fwd: Intent to package: pm3])

[Richard Braakman <dark@xs4all.nl>]

bruce@perens.com wrote:
> From: Richard Braakman <dark@xs4all.nl>
> > As an example, I don't think the DFSG (taken literally) has room for the
> > GPL's requirements for distributing source code.
> 
> The only field of endeavor you could contrive to argue this point would
> be one that would take the resulting work out of DFSG-compliance.

I wasn't thinking of the fields of endeavour clause, but simply this one:

     Free Redistribution
          The license of a Debian component may not restrict any party from
          selling or giving away the software as a component of an
          aggregate software distribution containing programs from several
          different sources. The license may not require a royalty or other
          fee for such sale.

We've interpreted this to exclude any kind of postcardware, adware, or
restrictions on use.  "If you use this software, you must pet a cat"
fails the DFSG on this point.  "If you sell this software, send a copy
to the author" fails the DFSG on this point.  But "If you distribute
this software without source code, you must 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" apparently does not.  Why not?

Richard Braakman