Re: TeX Licenses & teTeX (Was: Re: forwarded message from Jeff Licquia)
Boris Veytsman <borisv@lk.net> writes:
> > From: tb@becket.net (Thomas Bushnell, BSG)
> > Date: 05 Aug 2002 19:46:09 -0700
>
> >
> > You cannot modify tex.web at all, but you are free to patch it with
> > what you want and distribute the results, including binaries made from
> > it. This is exactly the sort of thing that DFSG 4 had in mind,
> > indeed, TeX has been the classic example of the implementation of DFSG
> > 4.
> >
>
> A hypothetical question. LaTeX has a facility of patching at compile
> time -- the loading of system-wide or user-wide .cfg files. Would you
> consider LaTeX license DFSG-free if it would explicitly mention this
> patching facility?
It's not about what gets mentioned or not.
But can I modify the behavior of any part of LaTeX, including what
happens when I load article.sty?
And am I allowed to do that by taking the original article.sty and
using it as the basis for a modification?
> > Computer Modern is a different matter. If the font files really
> > prohibit modifications, then that is unfortunate. Someone (perhaps
> > the tetex maintainer?) should ask Knuth for a change to his license.
> > For example, "you may modify these files, provided you do not call
> > them the Computer Modern fonts". Or perhaps a notification that the
>
> Why do you not consider the same patching as above? You *can* patch CM
> using virtual fonts facility. I do not think there are restrictions on
> .vf files you can use with TeX.
Can I take the existing source file and use it as the basis of my new
and different font?
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