Re: Is OSL 2.0 compliant with DFSG?
MJ Ray <mjr@dsl.pipex.com> writes:
> On 2004-04-10 10:01:03 +0100 Free Ekanayaka <free@agnula.org> wrote:
>> Please could you answer to his question?
>
> I am not sure what question you mean, because I couldn't see it in the
> forwarded email.
I think it was whether or not it would pass the DFSG, so it's the same
question.
> For the question in the subject line: I still think that OSL 2.0 is not
> DFSG-free because it terminates copyright permission for any software
> patent action, including ones unrelated to the covered software. The
> Licensor is also free to initiate patent actions against the Licensee
> and this seems to hinder the Licensee's defence. I see this as a type of
> bad termination clause, which wouldn't be tolerated for copyrights alone.
There are other problems as well. Besides the patent clause:
#5 places a distribution-like burden on certain types of use (e.g., use
as part of a web server and you must distribute source).
#9 (the clickwrap bit) requires you to get agreement to the clickwrap in
order to distribute. E.g., no ftp distribution.
I think it's clearly not DFSG free.
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Jeremy Hankins <nowan@nowan.org>
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