CVSROOT: /webcvs/www
Module name: www
Changes by: Richard M. Stallman <rms> 11/05/16 17:07:23
Modified files:
distros : free-system-distribution-guidelines.html
Log message:
Clarify that nonfunctional data is ok _despite_ not being free,
that this doesn't make it free. Also, delete "aesthetic"
since that is too narrow.
Move the name confusion paragraph to a separate section.
CVSWeb URLs:
http://web.cvs.savannah.gnu.org/viewcvs/www/distros/free-system-distribution-guidelines.html?cvsroot=www&r1=1.22&r2=1.23
Patches:
Index: free-system-distribution-guidelines.html
===================================================================
RCS file: /webcvs/www/www/distros/free-system-distribution-guidelines.html,v
retrieving revision 1.22
retrieving revision 1.23
diff -u -b -r1.22 -r1.23
--- free-system-distribution-guidelines.html 13 May 2011 15:32:12 -0000
1.22
+++ free-system-distribution-guidelines.html 16 May 2011 17:06:46 -0000
1.23
@@ -107,14 +107,17 @@
<h3 id="non-functional-data">Non-functional Data</h3>
-<p>Data that has an aesthetic purpose, rather than a functional one,
-may be included in a free system distribution as long as its license
-gives you permission to copy and redistribute, both for commercial and
-non-commercial purposes. For example, there are some game engines
-that have been released under the GNU GPL, and have accompanying game
-information—a world map, game graphics, and so on—released
-under such a verbatim distribution license. This kind of data can be
-part of a free system distribution.</p>
+<p>Data that isn't functional, that doesn't do a practical job, is
+more of an adornment to the system's software than a part of it.
+Thus, we don't insist on the free license criteria for non-functional
+data. It can be included in a free system distribution as long as its
+license gives you permission to copy and redistribute, both for
+commercial and non-commercial purposes. For example, some game
+engines released under the GNU GPL have accompanying game
+information—a fictional world map, game graphics, and so
+on—released under such a verbatim-distribution license. This
+kind of data can be part of a free system distribution, even though
+its license does not qualify as free, because it is non-functional.</p>
<h3 id="trademarks">Trademarks</h3>
@@ -177,6 +180,9 @@
other hand, we also don't object if a distributor chooses to omit some
software in order to avoid patent risk.</p>
+</div>
+
+<div class="section">
<h3 id="mistakes">Commitment to Correct Mistakes</h3>
<p>Most distribution development teams don't have the resources to
@@ -194,6 +200,14 @@
of nonfree software that we find out about. It should also
inform us when the problems we have reported are fixed.</p>
+<h3 id="Name Confusion">Name Confusion</h3>
+
+<p>We will not list a distribution whose name makes confusion with
+nonfree distributions likely. For example, if Foobar Light is a free
+distribution and Foobar is a nonfree distribution, we will not list
+Foobar Light. This is because we expect that the distinction between
+the two would be lost in the process of communicating the message.</p>
+
<h3 id="upstream">Contacting Upstream If You're Downstream</h3>
<p>For distro developers (or anyone else) who have sent an important bug
@@ -212,13 +226,6 @@
href="mailto:g...@gnu.org";>g...@gnu.org</a>> with a description of
their system and a link to their web page.</p>
-<p>However, we will not list a distribution whose name makes confusion
-with nonfree distributions likely. For example, if Foobar Light is a free
-distribution and Foobar is a nonfree distribution, we will not list
-Foobar Light. This is because we expect that the distinction between
-the two would be lost in the process of communicating the
-message.</p>
-
<p>If you have questions or comments about these guidelines
themselves, feel free to send those to <<a class="reference"
href="mailto:licens...@gnu.org";>licens...@gnu.org</a>>. We hope
@@ -251,7 +258,7 @@
<p>Updated:
<!-- timestamp start -->
-$Date: 2011/05/13 15:32:12 $
+$Date: 2011/05/16 17:06:46 $
<!-- timestamp end -->
</p>
</div>
