Re: GPL compatible license?
Martin Schulze <joey@infodrom.org> writes:
> Could somebody check if this license is compatible with the GPL? It was
> considered free with Debian, if I remember correctly. I'm a bit worried
> about 4. 'may not omit any of the copyright notices on [..] the executable
> file".
>
> Regards,
>
> Joey
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> The Elm(tm) Mail System General Public License
>
>
> (C) Copyright 1988-1992, USENET Community Trust
> (C) Copyright 1986,1987, by Dave Taylor
>
>
> COPYING POLICIES
>
> Permission is hereby granted for copying and distribution of copies of
> the Elm source files, and that of any part thereof, subject to the following
> license conditions:
>
> 1. You may, without additional permission from the authors, distribute
> Elm or components of Elm, with or without additions developed by
> you or by others at no charge. You may also distribute
> Elm along
"at no charge" is ambiguous -- do they mean that they grant this
license at no charge to me, the distributor? Or do they mean that
I must not charge those to whom I distribute? Given the following, it
looks like it requires me not to charge for Elm.
> with any other product for sale, provided that the cost of the
> bundled package is the same regardless of whether Elm is included,
> and provided that those interested only in Elm must be notified
> that it is a product freely available from the Elm Development Group.
This is GPL-incompatible, since it governs how much I may charge for
Elm.
I'm not convinced that it's Free, since the usual "package with the
trivial program" work-around doesn't appear to apply.
> 2. You may, without additional permission from the authors, distribute
> copies of the Elm Documentation, with or without additions developed by
> you or by others at no charge or at a charge that covers the cost of
> reproducing the copies, provided that the Elm copyright notice is
> retained.
>
> 3. Furthermore, if you distribute Elm software or parts of Elm, with
> or without additions developed by you or others, then you must
> either make available the source to all portions of the Elm system
> (exclusive of any additions made by you or by others) upon request,
> or instead you may notify anyone requesting source that it is
> freely available from the Elm Development Group.
I have to continue to maintain a source archive and provide it on
request -- even if I originally provided source?
I'm not convinced that this is free.
> 4. In addition, you may not omit any of the copyright notices
> on either the source files, the executable file, or the
> documentation, and
That's fine, I think.
> 5. Also, you may not omit transmission of this License agreement with
> whatever portions of Elm that are distributed.
Also fine.
> 6. Lastly, any users of this software must be notified that it is
> without warrantee or guarantee of any nature, express or implied,
> nor is there any fitness for use represented.
I think this can be interpreted as "without warantee from EDG" --
unless this really is meant to prohibit me from warranting the quality
of Elm.
> Software is a malleable thing - especially UNIX - and the authors can in no
> way guarantee that using this program will not cause grievous damage to your
> system. Of course this isn't anticipated, but if it does happen, the authors
> cannot be held liable for any damages either directly or indirectly caused
> by this event.
>
> Modification of the system is encouraged, providing that the portions of
> the system that are from the original still carry the appropriate copyright
> notices and that the changed sections are clearly delimited as such. The
> authors requests copies of any changes made to ensure that the various versions
> stay reasonably in sync with each other. Please send all revisions to
> elm@DSI.COM.
>
> NOTE that it is not permitted to copy, sublicense, distribute or transfer any
> of the Elm software except as expressly indicated herein. Any attempts to
> do otherwise will be considered a violation of this license and your rights
> to the Elm software will be voided.
>
>
> Comments on the system and/or this licensing agreement is encouraged. Send
> electronic mail to "taylor@intuitive.com". This license was written with
> help from Scott McGregor. Thanks Scott!
>
> ----
> Elm is a trademark of Dave Taylor.
>
> NOTE: Elm is now in the public trust. Comments, suggestions, bug reports and the
> like should be sent to Syd Weinstein; elm@DSI.COM (dsinc!elm)
> Current Elm Coordinator: elm@myxa.com
>
>
> --
> Open source is important from a technical angle. -- Linus Torvalds
>
> Please always Cc to me when replying to me on the lists.
--
Brian Sniffen bts@alum.mit.edu
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