On Wed, 20 May 2009 13:31:06 +0200 Mehdi Dogguy wrote: > > Hi all, Hi! > > While packaging a software for Debian, I found an empty file under a > proprietary license in upstream's tarball. The file contains only the > header which says who is the copyright holder and the license under which > it was released. There is no source code in it, at all. Weird. I understand that this file is completely useless for the building of the binary package... > > I was wondering whether such file can be part of a Debian package (the > .orig tarball)? I don't think that non-free files may be included in a source package targeted for main, even when they are unused for the generation of binary packages. The Debian Policy states that | Every package in main must comply with the DFSG (Debian Free Software | Guidelines). [see http://www.debian.org/doc/debian-policy/ch-archive.html#s-main] without distinguishing between source and binary packages, hence both of them must comply with the DFSG. Moreover, I've seen many bug reports on the Debian BTS that were specifically reopened because non-free files were removed from the binary package, without removing them from the source package, as well. Important disclaimers: IANAD, TINASOTODP. > > FTM, I removed those files and made a clean dfsg tarball. I believe that this is the Right Thing™ to do. I hope this helps. -- New location for my website! Update your bookmarks! http://www.inventati.org/frx ..................................................... Francesco Poli . GnuPG key fpr == C979 F34B 27CE 5CD8 DC12 31B5 78F4 279B DD6D FCF4
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