Most of the files in NuttX are also already available under the Apache
license in TizenRT. There they simply "slapped" the Apache license on
the NuttX BSD code with asking for any permissions. It was never
discussed with me.
But I suppose, since it is done under Samsungs legal responsibility, we
could bring any code back from Samsung? (as if I had a clue what I am
talking about).
Greg
On 12/15/2019 7:59 AM, Gregory Nutt wrote:
1.https://lists.apache.org/thread.html/d58f8edd36eff155f061e84229dc035a71ea5cd7f0fa622bdd1a5dd0%40%3Clegal-discuss.apache.org%3E
Some general comments on that thread:
"It would be more accurate to say that Gregory Nutt *claims* copyright
over the whole code. However, the facts you give — that he reviewed
contributions, committed them, and slapped his own copyright notice on
top — do not imply that the copyright notice is accurate." -- That has
never happened. I insist that contributions of new files have the
copy right notice and author on them. I have never "slapped" my on
copyright on anything.
"* the Foundation claims copyright on the _distribution_ rather than the individual
files/contributions/commits. ... If we accept that GNutt did the same, then we're good to
go. (I can't answer that statement)" -- There are copyrights ONLY on individual
files. There is no copyright at all on the distributions. Modifications to files do not
change the copyright by default UNLESS the commit/patch modifies the copyright.
Basically copyright claims are managed entirely be the people that create and modify the
code and no one else.
"If there's someone else who holds a significant copyright interest — e.g., if
someone contributed large amounts of code that were merged without significant alteration
— then SGAs from that party would be required too."
In the nuttx/ repository, there are a total 10,626 .c and .h files with copyrights in
the header (which should be all of them). Build-related files may also have
copyrights but are excluded here. I hold the copyright on 8,328 of them (78%). Sony
holds the copyright 401 files on (<4%) and Pinecone holds the copyright on 86
(<1%). That accounts for 82% of such files. Looking at the remaining files, I do
no see anyone holding large number of copyrights. Perhaps Nick Johnson who did the
original math library? I doubt any there is any other copyright holder that exceeds
the 1% range.
The apps/ directory should be similar, but I did not look at it.
"Might be worth asking Gregory Nutt if there was a NuttX contributor's agreement
(expressed or implied) that assigned copyright. My employee agreement assigns copyright,
for example." -- No, no contributor agreements.
