Package: gettext
Version: 0.14.4-2
Severity: serious
Several (many?) files contain these lines, as identified with find|xargs
grep -2i public\ domain
./gettext-tools/examples/hello-c/autoclean.sh-# Example for use of GNU
gettext.
./gettext-tools/examples/hello-c/autoclean.sh-# Copyright (C) 2003-2004
Free Software Foundation, Inc.
./gettext-tools/examples/hello-c/autoclean.sh:# This file is in the
public domain.
./gettext-tools/examples/hello-c/autoclean.sh-#
[EMAIL PROTECTED] ~]$
It's not clear to me whether Debian has the right to distribute this
software: if it's "in the public domain," then there is no problem but
OTOH if the FSF does hold the right to control who may make copies, then
under what terms does Debian do so?
I don't see how it can be both "in the public domain" and "copyright
FSF," and I don't see why the FSF wouldn't use the GPL (or maybe a
BSD/MIT licence) in this case.
I'm reporting this so that Debian may consider the question and take
appropriate action, if only to record the matter's considered and that
Debian may freely distribute the software. Hopefully, an official from
the FSF will concur with Debian's decision.
I have attempted to discuss the question with two of the authors
identified in one of the documents; the address of one's no longer
valid, and the other doesn't see a problem. However, he also doesn't
appease my concerns.
--
Cheers
John
-- spambait
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