Convenience copies in upstream code: dependencies, removal, copyright, and other issues

[Ben Finney <ben+debian@benfinney.id.au>]

Howdy all,

I recall this discussion occurring a few times, but I'm not sure of the
recommended best practice.

We can all agree that “convenience copies” of third-party library code
are to be avoided, and to work with upstream to remove them where
feasible. What I'm not clear on are the details of dealing with it in
the interim:

* Declare dependencies on the version of the library in Debian, even
  though that version may be later than the convenience copy currently
  in the original source?

* Remove the convenience copy from the original source archive, or
  merely from the binary package?

* Document the convenience copy in the dependent package's ‘copyright’,
  even if it doesn't appear in the binary package?

-- 
 \       “The most common of all follies is to believe passionately in |
  `\    the palpably not true. It is the chief occupation of mankind.” |
_o__)                                                —Henry L. Mencken |
Ben Finney