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The aspect of all this focused on Debian trademark
protection is for the wonderful folks who own the trademark to consider. I think
one point was that ‘business’ minded folks will probably make some judgments
on use of Debian based on your protection of the trademark, and implied int hat
the quality / reliability of the product. But again not what I wanted to
comment on I like the distribution requirement discussion. Goswin is
pretty close to being right on. Thanks!! I assume the ‘package’ on the DVD is licensed
with GPL As I understand it, and I’ve worked directly with FSF
on this one, here are the basic points: --If the source is provided on the DVD then that’s it!!
No further obligation to provide to anyone else via any other mechanism! --If the source is not in the distribution, in this case on
the DVD, then there must be an ‘offer’ for source. --All offers must be ‘public’ – meaning redeemable
by anyone, anytime (for 3 years) (no distribution has to be $ free or by the specific
mechanism of download) So looking at some comments made: >>If any third party *knows* about the existence of
such an offer -- perhaps because they know that Company A licensed some
software to Company B under the GPL -- could they cite its existence and
thereby claim their right to a "machine-readable copy?" Yes – all offers must be public >> You're only required to provide the
source to those who received a written promise from you or anyone who passed on
the written promise. The GPL does not say that you may not require proof of them
having received the written promise. Not true all offers must be public. >> The point is that there is nothing
wrong with the mere fact that you cannot download a specific DVD image. After all, there's nothing wrong with putting the source packages
_on_ that image... Absolutely correct, if source is in the distribution then
that fulfills the GPL obligation for source >> It is not ok to distribute binary
images and say: You want source? Ask Debian for it. That is what I ment with
distributing only binary images. Debian does not give a written offer under 3b to be
passed on by distributers under 3c. For the most part correct. There are circumstances that I
can say ‘go get it from debian’ – if I have an agreement with
debian to provide such fulfillment for the 3 years. I cannot point to another source if I have no control
(agreement) with that source. Allan |