> From: Brian Jones
> Subject: Re: Jikes is opensource
>
>
> Moses DeJong <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes:
>
> > I have used jikes in the past and I can tell you that it works
> much better
> > then the javac compiler that comes with the JDK. My only
> problems with the
> > new license are the following terms.
> >
> > snips from the license.
> >
> > 2) YOUR Program includes more than 60% of
> > the Original Code.
> >
> > 2) YOUR Program includes more than 60%
> > of the Program as distributed by IBM.
> >
> > This means that people are not allowed to use a single function
> > out of the jikes source because any "derived work" must have at least
> > 60% of the original jikes code included. In addition, this license
> > will not allow someone to take the jikes code and fork off a new
> > developement tree. This means that if you want to rewrite the code
> > you must take care to change less then 40% of the code. If these silly
> > parts of the license are changed then I would feel a lot better about
> > jikes.
>
> I think you read this backwards. You must comply if your program
> includes more than 60% of the Program as distributed by IBM. It
> wasn't spelled out exactly (in my mind) how derivative works would be
> distributed, except that they must have proper copyright notice,
> include said license, and not infringe on patents.
>
> Brian
I think Moses is right, and in addition, it's even more restrictive than
just the 60% requirement. Explanation follows.
*Everyone* gets this right: to execute, prepare derivative works of, and
distribute (internally and externally), for commercial and noncommercial
purposes, the Program as distributed by IBM.
This means that you can fork the tree ("prepare derivative works"), but does
not specifically give you the right to distribute the forked tree. Note the
critical words there: the Program as distributed by IBM.
Now on to distribution of derivative products not distributed by IBM: if the
derivative has 60% or more of the original code, you get these rights: to
make, use, sell, offer to sell or import the Original Code *for use in
Licensed Code (i.e. a JDK 1.1 compiler)*. Note the critical use of the term
Licensed Code. In the definition, Licensed Code means "a program used for
compiling source code written in the Java language as defined by the Java
Language Specification, Version 1.1." This restricts the nature of the
resulting product to a JDK 1.1 compiler. This means that you can't create
something bigger and better or different out of the original source, or use
it as a JIT or something.
What we're left with is this: the original *program* is freely
redistributable, but a *derivative work* is freely redistributable under two
conditions: it must contain 60% or more of the original code, and it must be
a JDK 1.1 compiler.
--John Keiser
