Subject: Re: [linux-audio-dev] License Concerns about ladspa.h and GPL programs
From: Junichi Uekawa (dancer_AT_netfort.gr.jp)
Date: Tue Mar 06 2001 - 17:22:30 EET
In Tue, 06 Mar 2001 10:33:03 +0000 Richard cum veritate scripsit :
From a perspective of a Debian developer.
> However, an API isn't really code, but a specification, and the one
> thing you don't want is people changing it ad lib! So is a license even
> appropriate in this case? The API can be freely available, but
> unauthorized changes must be prevented. You can reseve copyright in the
> API specification document, and disallow all changes to that. GPL and
> LGPL don't seem to cover this sort of question at all.
That is largely what I am fearing. csound is not a free software in terms of
Debian.
To qualify as a free software in Debian, one needs to be able to change
the files ad-lib.
There is a problem that the API we do not like being played with.
However, the GPL requests one to keep a log of changes,
to mark modifications as such, so this is not too bad. One would know how
changes happened, and if desired, can check the original.
2.
a) You must cause the modified files to carry prominent notices
stating that you changed the files and the date of any change.
(LGPL license does have the same clause in 2.b. )
The BSD license does not have this clause, so one can silently change any file,
and modify it.
The full text to the BSD license is :
[start BSD]
Redistribution and use in source and binary forms, with or without
modification, are permitted provided that the following conditions
are met:
1. Redistributions of source code must retain the above copyright
notice, this list of conditions and the following disclaimer.
2. Redistributions in binary form must reproduce the above copyright
notice, this list of conditions and the following disclaimer in the
documentation and/or other materials provided with the distribution.
3. Neither the name of the University nor the names of its contributors
may be used to endorse or promote products derived from this software
without specific prior written permission.
THIS SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED BY THE REGENTS AND CONTRIBUTORS ``AS IS'' AND
ANY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE
IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE
ARE DISCLAIMED. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE REGENTS OR CONTRIBUTORS BE LIABLE
FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY, OR CONSEQUENTIAL
DAMAGES (INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, PROCUREMENT OF SUBSTITUTE GOODS
OR SERVICES; LOSS OF USE, DATA, OR PROFITS; OR BUSINESS INTERRUPTION)
HOWEVER CAUSED AND ON ANY THEORY OF LIABILITY, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, STRICT
LIABILITY, OR TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE OR OTHERWISE) ARISING IN ANY WAY
OUT OF THE USE OF THIS SOFTWARE, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF
SUCH DAMAGE.
[end BSD]
-- dancer_AT_debian.org : Junichi Uekawa http://www.netfort.gr.jp/~dancer GPG Fingerprint : 17D6 120E 4455 1832 9423 7447 3059 BF92 CD37 56F4
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