This version include correction reported by Soren Stoutner from the debian team. Thanks for considering my request. ________________________________ Da: Soren Stoutner Inviato: Venerdì, 11 Ottobre, 2024 00:21 A: debian-legal@lists.debian.org Cc: PEPPÈ Santarsiero Oggetto: Re: Request for Evaluation of Lachesis Open License
Giuseppe, On Thursday, October 10, 2024 9:08:47 AM MST PEPPÈ Santarsiero wrote: > Dear Debian Legal Team, > I hope this message finds you well. > I am writing to request the evaluation of the Lachesis Open License, which I > have recently drafted. I have just submitted this license for evaluation to > the Open Source Initiative (OSI) and would like to discuss any proposed > modifications they may suggest. I believe the Lachesis Open License is > compatible with the Debian Free Software Guidelines, and I am eager to ensure > that it aligns with Debian's requirements as well. Thank you for your time > and consideration. I look forward to your feedback. Best regards, This is an interesting license. I have one question about wording, which might be a translation issue. The license contains the following text: "Any derivative work of this Software, regardless of the method of distribution (download, streaming, hosting on remote servers, or any other form of public availability), must be accompanied by the distribution of the complete source code.” "However, if the licensee distributes such derivative works, they are required to include the complete source code of those modifications” I assume that what is intended is that those distributing the software must also make the source code available to those who want it. However, as it is worded here, I think the effect would be that those distributing binary files compiled from the source code would have to force everyone who downloaded those binaries to also download the entire source code, whether they wanted it or not. If the desire is simply to make the source code available, I think the following wording would be more accurate: "Any derivative work of this Software, regardless of the method of distribution (download, streaming, hosting on remote servers, or any other form of public availability), must provide access to the complete source code.” "However, if the licensee distributes such derivative works, they are required to make available the complete source code of those modifications” -- Soren Stoutner so...@debian.org
Hereâs the English version of the **Lachesis Open License**: --- ## Lachesis Open License ### Preamble This license, called the **Lachesis Open License** (hereinafter "License"), is drafted in accordance with best legal practices and is inspired by the Greek myth of the Moirai, who weave the thread of life, symbolizing continuity and transformation. The purpose of this License is to ensure maximum freedom to use, modify, and distribute the software, promoting collaboration and innovation within the open-source community. Software released under this License is considered free according to the four freedoms defined by Richard Stallman: 1. The freedom to run the program for any purpose. 2. The freedom to study how the program works and change it to make it do what you wish. 3. The freedom to redistribute copies to help others. 4. The freedom to improve the program and release your improvements to the public, so that the whole community can benefit. We also add some of our own freedoms that motivate us to create this License: - The freedom to contribute to previous projects. - The freedom to modify the License, provided that all other freedoms of free software are respected. - The freedom to change the license of the software, as long as it allows use according to the same freedoms. - The freedom to make modifications available directly to those who use the software as a service. ### Definitions - **Software**: Any computer program released under this License, including source code and derivative works. - **Inbound License**: A license is considered "inbound" when the software released under that license is incorporated into a project released under the Lachesis License. - **Outbound License**: A license is considered "outbound" when the software released under the Lachesis License is released under another license. - **Derivative Work**: A derivative work includes, but is not limited to, modifications, adaptations, enhancements, or altered versions of the original Software, as well as forks of the Software. ### Conditions **Clause 1: Distribution of Source Code** Anyone distributing the Software or derivative works, in any version, must provide access to the complete source code, in a usable form, along with a visible copy of this License. **Clause 2: Distribution of Derivative Works** Any derivative work of this Software, regardless of the method of distribution (download, streaming, hosting on remote servers, or any other form of public availability), must provide access to the complete source code. **Clause 3: Freedom to Modify** The licensee is free to modify the source code and distribute derivative works. However, if the licensee distributes such derivative works, they are required to make available the complete source code of those modifications, in a usable form, along with a visible copy of this License, in accordance with Clause 1. Contributions to the original project are encouraged. **Clause 4: License Compatibility** The licensee is free to release derivative works under any license, provided that such license: - Guarantees the distribution of the source code in a usable form. - Allows the modification of the source code: it must not impose restrictions on modifying the source code. - Ensures the freedom of distribution: derivative works must be freely distributable, without commercial or technical restrictions. - Preserves users' freedoms: the chosen license must guarantee users the same freedoms to use, modify, and distribute granted by this License. - Retroactive Contributions: Any contribution made to the Software or derivative works can be reported under the same License used for the part of the Software to which the contribution was added. Alternatively, it can be released under a compatible license, provided that such license guarantees the same freedoms to use, modify, and distribute as the original license of the part of the Software to which the contribution was added. - **Ensures Copyleft**: Derivative works must maintain the freedoms granted by the Lachesis Open License without the obligation to release under the same License, while still ensuring the preservation of freedoms to use, modify, and distribute. **Clause 5: Modernity** Licensees are strongly encouraged to adopt new standards and cutting-edge technologies and to make them available for previous versions of the Software whenever possible. **Clause 6: Reunification of Contributions** Any contribution made to a fork or derivative of the Software can be reincorporated into the forked project, provided that such contributions are released under the same License as the part of the Software from which the contribution was added or under a compatible license. All contributions reported in previously forked code can be reported under the original license. **Clause 7: License Compatibility** - **Compatible Inbound Licenses**: The following licenses are considered compatible: MIT, BSD (in all its variants), WTFPL, Apache, and any permissive license that does not require the release of the code under its own terms, as well as any license that respects the points in Clause 4, including this Lachesis License. Software released under any of these licenses can be incorporated into Software released under the Lachesis License and benefit from Clause 6, allowing the use of contributions made in various forks. - **Compatible Outbound Licenses**: All licenses that respect the points in Clause 4 are considered compatible. **Clause 8: User Responsibility** Users who choose to release derivative works are responsible for ensuring that they comply with the terms of the chosen license. However, they are not required to notify the original authors unless they choose to do so voluntarily. This includes understanding the implications of the selected licenses and ensuring that any modifications or uses do not violate the freedoms and rights guaranteed by this License. **Clause 9: Non-Discrimination** No part of this License shall discriminate against any person or group of persons, nor against any field of endeavor. The License shall be applied without prejudice regarding race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic. In particular, it must not exclude access to or use of the Software by anyone based on such characteristics or other personal conditions. All users must have equal opportunities to use, modify, and distribute the Software. **Clause 10: No Data Collection without User Consent** The Software must be developed with a privacy-focused approach. Any data collected must only be done with the explicit consent of the user. Users must have the option to deny data collection without suffering degradation in service or functionality. **Clause 11: Use with Incompatible Licenses** The Software may be used alongside software released under incompatible licenses, provided that the user complies with the terms of the respective licenses of the software used. **Clause 12: Limitation of Liability** The authors of the Software shall not be liable for any damages arising from the use of the Software. All illegal uses are the responsibility of the user performing them, and the creators or managers of the Software shall not be held responsible for any violations of the freedoms and rights of users as specified in Clauses 3 and 4. **Clause 13: No Release** It is expressly forbidden to release the Software or derivative works under licenses that impose a different type of copyleft. This clause applies to all subsequent licenses. **Clause 14: Availability of Modifications** Any modifications made at the file level must always be made available and accessible to the involved public, and if the Software is used as an accessible service, it must always be available for use in a usable format and with the modifications made. --- This English version of the Lachesis Open License reflects the updates made in the Italian version. If you need any further adjustments or have additional requests, feel free to let me know!
