[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: > > > [Want to know how Debian violates the GPL all the time? Check how > > > many GPLed packages in Debian have modifications yet don't obey 2(a).] > > > > I think there should be a /usr/doc/emacs20/README.Debian what says that > > /usr/share/emacs/20.3/lisp/startup.el was modified to load > > debian-startup.el at startup. > > I agree that such notifications are useful. The question is, if we must > enfore them and if yes, if they not better belong in the copyright file. > > let me point out that we distribute _pristine_ source packages in most > cases, and a diff file makes very clear (byte by byte) which files have been > changed. > > So, I think, if the maintainer uploads the original source unmodified, > the changes donīt need to be listed in the Debian files, as the diff file > is enough documentation. If the Debian maintainer repacks changed source > code, the changes must be written down in the copyright file.
Very good point about diff files. I hadn't thought of that. However, including said changes in either copyright or README.Debian would be a good service to users who typically don't look at diff's (most new users don't know the workings of Debian's packaging system anyway) and would better comply with GPL Section 2a. I think that Debian policy hints that such modifications should be listed in the `copyright' file, but I've always thought it more natural that they go in README.Debian (which is why I looked there when I was a new user, and din't know Debian policy). Peter
