The current copyright holders of "The Ur-Quan Masters" (AKA Star Control II) have proposed another license for the game data (the code is already GPLed). I'd like to get this list's opinions of the License, as related to the DFSG and in general. I'll pass along whatever consensus is reached to the upstream developers (with a link to the list archives). The proposed license is the Free Media License (FML): https://expressivefreedom.org/copyleft/fml.html The FML is inspired by the GPL and especially the GFDL, but is intended to apply to works in all forms of media. It also specifically addresses the making of derivative works of a different media type (such as a movie derived from a script). I know that the GFDL is rather controversial WRT the DFSG, and the current consensus is that it is DFSG free when it has no cover texts nor any invariant sections. Other cases are (for now) non-free, or at best, free on a case by case basis. The FML has some almost identical clauses regarding cover texts, but no generic invariant sections. Some specific sections are mentioned, though, which require special treatment. For example, the Credits section (intended mostly for movies?) and the History section (for all types of media?) must be maintained in a specified manner. The History section in particular does not apear to be optional. To sumarize what I'd like to present to the upstream, here are some questions: * Is FML is DFSG free in the general case? * If not, can it be used in a DFSG free way (like the GFDL)? * If so, how (no cover texts probably, but anything else)? * Does the FML have any DFSG free, but obnoxious clauses (e.g. the original BSD advertizing clause)? * Could there be problems applying the license to an existing work (previously under a propriatary license) for which some documentation (credits perhaps?) are unavailable? Thanks in advance for your time analyzing this license! This list is yet another reason why Debian (and the Debian community) kick ass. :-) -- Steven Barker steve@blckknght.org Unnamed Law: If it happens, it must be possible. Get my GnuPG public key at: http://www.blckknght.org/publickey.asc Fingerprint: 272A 3EC8 52CE F22B F745 775E 5292 F743 EBD5 936B
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