Bug#633994: debian-policy: confusion over what the license information in the copyright file actually means

[Jonathan Nieder <jrnieder@gmail.com>]

Hi Nicholas,

Nicholas Bamber wrote:

> As far as I know the license data in debian/copyright states what
> license Debian is distributing the package under.

Section 1.2 "Copyright information" says:

	Every package must be accompanied by a verbatim copy of its copyright
	information and distribution license

While there's been some debate before about what "verbatim" means, I
suspect that most would agree that, for example, changing "1.1 or
later" to "1.2" would not be it.

On the other hand, as I interpret it, an addendum stating that the
Debian package maintainer is releasing his or her own changes under
version 1.2 or urging the reader to look at the terms of version 1.2
of the license since they're more sane would be okay.

Does that make sense?  If so, any idea how it could be clarified
(maybe with a footnote)?

Thanks and regards,
Jonathan