Bug#649530: [copyright-format] clearer definitions and more consistent License: stanza specification

[Jonathan Nieder <jrnieder@gmail.com>]

Ximin Luo wrote:

> Why is it essential for the verbatim text to be in debian/copyright,
> when the source package should already contain this? We could
> alternatively add a Location: field to point to the verbatim license
> in /usr/share/doc or the base directory of the source package,
> rather than duplicating information?

Here's one scenario, which I think motivated this in olden times.

Suppose someone gives me a Debian CD.  It comes with a written offer
for a source CD from the commercial distributor I bought it from, but
I haven't actually bothered to send in for that --- all I need is
binaries for now.

Now I want to give a copy of the CD to my friend.  I can review the
terms under which I am allowed to copy it, which binary packages I am
allowed to modify, etc, without having a copy of the source CD.
Moreover, I have a copy of the license terms that I *thought* I was
agreeing to (even if the packagers screwed up) for my records, which
can avoid some anger and confusion if I turn out to have misunderstood
the copyright holders.

So it's all about keeping the legal rights visible, concrete, and easy
to find.  And that information is right here, on the same physical
medium as the binaries, instead of on the web where it could change.

Of course some licenses also require including the license terms with
binaries, but Russ already covered that.

Hope that helps,
Jonathan