Transcript of email exchange with the DBD::Sybase author. This package is now under a DFSG-compliant license and will be uploaded to main. Steve Langasek postmodern programmer ----- Forwarded message from Michael Peppler <mpeppler@peppler.org> ----- From: Michael Peppler <mpeppler@peppler.org> To: Steve Langasek <vorlon@netexpress.net> Subject: Re: DBD::Sybase licensing question Steve Langasek writes: > Michael, > > On Mon, Nov 26, 2001 at 09:36:57AM -0800, Michael Peppler wrote: > > > > In my continuing efforts to corner the market on Sybase/MS SQL > > > connectivity solutions for Linux, I've begun to look at packaging your > > > DBD::Sybase module for Debian. In the process, I noticed that the > > > license under which you've released the module contains a restriction on > > > commercial redistribution. Unfortunately, this restriction renders the > > > license incompatible with the Debian Free Software Guidelines > > > <http://www.debian.org/social_contract#guidelines>. > > > > In order to provide our users and our partners with an operating system > > > without attached strings, Debian requires that all included software be > > > freely redistributable; many Debian users buy their CD-ROMs from > > > commercial resellers, and we believe it's important to protect this > > > relationship. > > > > So I wanted to ask you, have you ever thought about dropping the > > > restriction on redistribution? I still hope to package DBD::Sybase > > > regardless, for inclusion in Debian's non-free archive; the benefits > > > that my employer and I get from your module make this decision a > > > no-brainer for me. But I think there would be immense benefit to the > > > Debian community at large if this module could be included in the OS. > > > I initially put that restriction there by copying the licence that Tim > > Bunce used for DBD::Oracle (the latest version of that that I have > > here still has that provision). > > > However, I see that Tim doesn't have that restriction on DBI itself, > > so I think I'll drop it too. > > > I guess that'll be in the 0.94 release (which should happen "soon"). > > I'm glad to hear it! If you intend to drop the license restriction, > would it be too much to ask that you also relicense the 0.93 release? > For Debian's purposes, a simple verbal confirmation in email is > sufficient, without any need to go through a new release process. This > would allow me to upload the package to Debian today, as opposed to > waiting for FreeTDS to catch up with anything that might have changed > between 0.93 and 0.94. :) OK - DBD::Sybase 0.93's licence will now read: # Copyright (c) 1996-2001 Michael Peppler # # You may distribute under the terms of either the GNU General Public # License or the Artistic License, as specified in the Perl README file. # # Based on DBD::Oracle Copyright (c) 1994,1995,1996,1997 Tim Bunce DBD::Sybase is henceforth distributable under the same terms as perl itself. Michael ----- End forwarded message -----
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