On Wed, Nov 29, 2000 at 06:21:50PM +0100, Wichert Akkerman wrote: > Package: debian-policy > > RMS just asked me if it was true that all our packages don't include > the GPL, just a reference to it, since that is a violation of the > GPL itself. In his words: > > rms> I'm told that (some or all) Debian packages for GPL-covered programs > rms> don't contain a copy of the GPL--just a reference. See an example > rms> below. > rms> > rms> Is that accurate? If so, it has to be fixed. The GPL says that a > rms> copy of the GPL must come with the package. When you distribute a > rms> whole system, once copy of the GPL in it is ok in principle; but when > rms> a single package is distributed, it has to *come with* a copy > rms> of the GPL. > > Reading the GPL section 3 says that for binaries the rules in sections 1 > and 2 also apply, and 1 states that a copy of the GPL has to be > included..
Then we need a mechanism so that the packages can include it, but not install it unless it isn't installed already. -- -----------=======-=-======-=========-----------=====------------=-=------ / Ben Collins -- ...on that fantastic voyage... -- Debian GNU/Linux \ ` [EMAIL PROTECTED] -- [EMAIL PROTECTED] -- [EMAIL PROTECTED] ' `---=========------=======-------------=-=-----=-===-======-------=--=---'
