Also, what about the book? Would the community have to start from scratch on new documentation? The online version says "modified content cannot be reproduced." Anthony
On Wednesday, December 29, 2010 2:21:20 AM UTC-5, Graham Dumpleton wrote: > > > On Wednesday, December 29, 2010 5:49:17 PM UTC+11, Magnitus wrote: >> >> Wow, some heavy duty concerns in this thread... >> >> I'm not fully versed in the detailed legalities of those things, but >> I'll elaborate things as I understand them and perhaps I can be >> corrected if I'm wrong... >> >> Basically, I get Web2py under the GLP licence. >> >> Under that licence, I can: >> >> 1) Use and distribute the unmodified web framework indefinitely as >> long as I provide a copy of the licence and the source code >> >> 2) Modify the source code of the Framework as I see fit as long as >> long as I make an open source copy of my modification available with >> an original copy of the licence and indicate how it was modified from >> the original source >> >> The above would apply to any copy I downloaded when the licence was in >> force, even if say, Massimo was struck by a meteor and Web2py stopped >> being distributed under such a licence. >> >> So, the main worry isn't that if Massimo is eaten by raiding >> cannibals, people won't have the legal means to distribute future >> modified copies of Web2py, but rather that nobody may have the >> expertize or interest to do so, correct? >> > > It is an open question whether distribution of such modified copies are > legally allowed to still be called web2py if Massimo has sole legal rights > on the name. Thus, you may be able to do that, but you likely would have to > call it something other than web2py. > > Graham > > >> >> On Dec 28, 12:28 pm, mdipierro <mdi...@cs.depaul.edu> wrote: >> > Afoundationis a corporation and, believe it or not, in US a >> > corporation is a person: >> > >> > http://www.professorbainbridge.com/professorbainbridgecom/2010/01/the... >> >> > >> > The Djangofoundationwas created two years ago (and Django is 4-5 >> > years older thanweb2py). Do you have any evidence that it has >> > improved its popularity: >> > >> > http://www.google.com/trends?q=django? >> > >> > Python has afoundationand it looks to me it is always broke. I just >> > spoke with a recruiter that was looking for Python programmers for a >> > big US bank and I complained that his client relied on a product >> > (Python) and did not make any donation to support it. The python >> > developers are not supported by thefoundation, as far as I know. >> > >> > Afoundationhas costs higher than a corporation and I do not get >> > enough donation to cover those costs. A corporation >> > (experts4solutions) is cheaper (it still costs at least $500/year of >> > my own money). Moreover afoundationimplies that design decision are >> > taken by committee and I do not believe in that. >> > >> > I consult with core developers and users on important matters but I >> > think there has to be one individual who ultimately takes decisions >> > about the direction of the project. >> > >> > We have explored the possibility of joining the free software >> > conservatory but we got no feedback. >> > >> > Rails is owned by a corporation (37signals) which is owned by one >> > individual. It seems to be the model works well for them. In my case I >> > decided not to pass copyright and trademark to experts4solutions >> > because I thought some would have criticized it. >> > >> > I am not the only committer to the mainweb2pybranch. Jonathan L. is >> > also a committer and will use his power in case I am incapacitated. >> > Yet, that should not be a crowded space in order to avoid internal >> > conflicts. >> > >> > I will write a will that explains what happens to theweb2pytrademark >> > and copyright in case I die. >> > >> > Massimo >> > >> > On Dec 28, 2:12 am, Graham Dumpleton <graha...@gmail.com> >> > wrote: >> > >> > >> > >> > > On Tuesday, December 28, 2010 5:37:30 PM UTC+11, mdipierro wrote: >> > >> > > > Not sure what a single person framework means. This framework counts >> >> > > > almost 100 contributors and at least 50 people very skilled here. If >> I >> > > > get hit by a track any of them can take over by forking my branch as >> >> > > > allowed by the license. >> > >> > > That last line actually supports the idea that a piece of software is >> owned >> > > and controlled by a single person. If a piece of software was owned by >> a >> > > group, be it a corporation or afoundation, the death of the core >> developer >> > > would make no difference as it would continue to be developed within >> the >> > > structure of that corporation orfoundationand copyright still held by >> the >> > > continuing entity. >> > >> > > In your case, if you get hit by a bus driven by a disgruntled Python >> > > developer, then no one else can simply take over the software as it is >> now, >> > > using any existing legal structure etc. Instead it would as you say >> need to >> > > be forked and in being forked legally may even need to change names as >> a >> > > result if you have sole rights over the original name. >> > >> > > So, your own words support the contention expressed by some that it is >> >> > > 'single person framework' as far as ownership and control is >> concerned, an >> > > issue which is distinct from whether or not you have other >> contributors. >> > >> > > Graham >> > >> > > > The purpose of thefoundationis to collect money for development and >> > > > advertising. Other organization like Rails have chose to create a >> > > > company instead of afoundation. >> > >> > > > We have created a company (experts4solutions.com) whose purpose is >> to >> > > > promote skilledweb2pyprofessionals (and you can joins), foster >> > > >web2pyprojects, sell consulting and long term support contracts. >> > >> > > > This was advertised here a few months ago. Some users have joined. >> > >> > > > Massimo >> > >> > > > On Dec 27, 9:46 pm, Pepe Araya <pep...@gmail.com> wrote: >> > > > > Hi, >> > >> > > > > some news about this topic? >> > >> > > > > I think 2 things are going in favor of creating afoundationor >> > > > [whatever]: >> > > > > 1. the community has grown a lot. >> > > > > 2. in all the reviews I read aboutweb2py, always, always, >> ALWAYS!!! say >> > > > it >> > > > > is a single-person framework and that takes away the future >> security of >> > > > > their development. >> > >> > > > > kind regards >> > >> > > > > Pepe- Hide quoted text - >> > >> > - Show quoted text - > >
