On Sat, 30 Jul 2005 09:52:12 -0500 Michael Janssen wrote:
[...]
> I have been trying to get the authors of BitTorrent to change their
> license (the BitTorrent Open Source License) in order to make it
> suitable for inclusion in Debian.
Your efforts are really appreciated.
> The BitTorrent Open Source License
> has been discussed before on this list [1, 2]. It is my understanding
> that the only two sections which cause problems are Section 13
> (choice-of-venue) and Section 4.b (keep source online for 6 months).
[...]
> 1. http://lists.debian.org/debian-legal/2005/03/msg00181.html
> 2. http://lists.debian.org/debian-legal/2005/03/msg00581.html
I've just re-read the relevant threads, and I do not agree that the two
above mentioned clauses are the only issues.
To summarize, the following clauses are problematic (should I
misrepresent someone's opinions, I apologize in advance: corrections
welcome):
4a
* MJ Ray is not happy about it
4b
* is a practical problem (MJ Ray)
* is a Freeness issue (Josh Triplett)
* worries me, as it's restriction on distribution, see DFSG#1
(Francesco Poli)
* is anyway a constraint that Debian mirror network does not satisfy
(Henning Makholm)
4c
* necessity to maintain a LEGAL file is a Freeness issue (Josh
Triplett)
* is another restriction on distribution, see DFSG#1 (Francesco Poli)
4d
* is easy to abuse (MJ Ray)
9b
* looks a little broad, but may be irrelevant (MJ Ray)
* no clear consensus (Francesco Poli)
13
* choice of venue, which is non-free (Josh Triplett, MJ Ray, Francesco
Poli, Henning Makholm)
* requirement to waive your right to a jury trial, which is non-free
(Francesco Poli, Josh Triplett)
Consequently, the issues to be solved are, at least,
. one in clause 4b
. one in 4c
. _two_ in 13
--
:-( This Universe is buggy! Where's the Creator's BTS? ;-)
......................................................................
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