Michelle Konzack wrote:
> I was thinking to use the term: > > Licence: This software is under any Licence which complay > with the Debian Free Software Guidelines (DFSG). > > I am thinking, that this makes my standpoint more clear as telling > users: "This software is under GPL vXX". I fully aggree with the > Debian philosophy and this is why I stay with it (even if it steals > me sometimes th last nerv ;-) ) > > What do you think about it? > IMO, there is something wrong with your statement. The point is that it's very difficult to determine whether a license complies with DFSG. Suppose that someone created a new license which is against DFSG, but s/he can still disclaim it complies with DFSG. You cannot decide that hir license is against the DFSG, nor do the Debian community. If the Debian community say a license is against DFSG, they only express their opinion. And according to their opinion, they won't add any software solely under this license to Debian main. That's what they can do. But they cannot enforce other people to agree with their opinion, nor can they enforce others to obey their decision. Everyone may have their different opinions, the Debian community never want to impose their opinion on others. The decision made by the Debian community only applies to the Debian Project. Even if you take this matter to court, since the DFSG is a publicly stated policy, rather than a legal statement, the case will become very complex. Therefore, IMO, you should not use a statement like "any Licence which complay with the DFSG". The licenses below are currently found in Debian main: GNU General Public License (common) GNU Lesser General Public License (common) GNU Library General Public License (common) Modified BSD License (common) Perl Artistic license (common) Apache License MIT/X11-style licenses zlib-style licenses LaTeX Project Public License Python Software Foundation License Ruby's License PHP License W3C Software Notice and License OpenSSL License Sleepycat License Common UNIX Printing System License Agreement vhf Public License "No problem Bugroff" license You can choose one or more license from them. (Personally, I think use Modified BSD is enough, because it is compatible with many licenses listed above.) If someone want to use other licenses which is not compatible with any license listed above to distribute your software, the license probably doesn't comply with the DFSG. Of course, it is possible that the license they want to use does comply with the DFSG. However, I think few people will need to use such licenses. If they do, they always can ask for your permission. -- To UNSUBSCRIBE, email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with a subject of "unsubscribe". Trouble? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED]
