Re: Is javacc DFSG compliant?
Raul Miller <moth@debian.org> writes:
>> > On Wed, Oct 13, 2004 at 12:57:57PM -0400, Brian Thomas Sniffen wrote:
>> >> Your lawyers are insane.
>
> Raul Miller <moth@debian.org> writes:
>> > Cite?
>
> On Wed, Oct 13, 2004 at 01:55:55PM -0400, Brian Thomas Sniffen wrote:
>> You're considering using unproven, uncertified software running in a
>> JVM to operate an unlicensed nuclear power plant, ...
>
> False.
>
> Either [a] the software is first being certified (possibly being modified
> in the process), or [b] it's not being used to operate the plant.
>
> Also, there's no reason to exclude licensed nuclear power plants from
> this discussion.
I don't think you know what you're talking about with respect to
licenses for nuclear power plants, and you're assuming a bunch of
stuff that isn't true. Please either avail yourself of opportunities
for education or stick to the copyright parts of this issue.
>> >> It's illegal to use this software in nuclear power plants.
>> >
>> > That's for a judge to determine.
>> >
>> > It's illegal in the context of copyrights to make copies for
>> > use in nuclear power plants (which conflicts with the fields
>> > of endeavor part of the DFSG).
>>
>> No, it isn't. It doesn't say you can't do so -- just that you've
>> acknowledged that the software isn't licensed-by-the-DOE for that or
>> designed for that.
>
> The license in question says that the software is not licensed for use
> in nuclear power plants. Since this is a copyright license, that means
> that making copies of the software with the intent of using those copies
> in a nuclear power plant is a violation of copyright.
No, it doesn't. It says you have to acknowledge that it's not
licensed for use in nukes, but that's very clearly not talking about
copyright licenses. I understand why you're confused. But this is
not about copyright licenses, this is about licenses to operate power plants.
Sun makes and sells power plant operating software, which *is*
properly certified. They need to make it clear that this isn't that
-- that's all.
>> >> But the fact that it isn't designed for use in a nuke is *true*.
>> >
>> > It's not designed for use on a cucumber farm, either. Does that make
>> > it illegal to use on a cuke?
>>
>> Wha? No, but so what?
>
> That pretty much captures my thoughts about the nuclear power plant
> clause.
>
> Putting in the license that the software is not licensed for some use
> is a problem because derivative works are subject to the same license.
>
> The absence of certification should be sufficient evidence that the
> software is not certified.
But it isn't. I'm sorry the DOE hasn't written its regulations the
way you would like, but we'll all have to live with that.
>> > Let's say someone was seriously intending to use this software in a
>> > nuclear power plant. Let's say that Sun wouldn't provide acceptable
>> > alternate licensing. Let's also say that the people involved in this
>> > plan are responsible and either [a] are using it in contexts where
>> > failure of the system isn't a critical issue, or [b] are first having
>> > a team of programmers go over the relevant code to certify that it will
>> > perform as needed.
>>
>> OK. Let's say all of that. Then these people can still acknowledge
>> that the software isn't designed by Sun or licensed by the DOE for
>> this use, then go get the DOE license. No problem.
>
> The LICENSE file is a Sun license file, not a DOE license file -- it
> doesn't mention the DOE at all.
>
> Furthermore, it's rather clearly a copyright license.
>
> Also, if the DOE did license it, the copyright would still say:
> "You acknowledge that this software is not ... licensed ..."
But the way the DOE cert process works, that isn't going to happen.
-Brian
--
Brian Sniffen bts@alum.mit.edu
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