On Fri, Jul 09, 1999 at 01:43:20PM +0200, Henning Makholm wrote: > "Ross J. Reedstrom" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes: > > Looks a little more open than the some other big-company licenses. > > Hm, I don't think so. > that's why I brought it to this groups attention. Lot's more experience interpreting licenses than I have.
<snipped nice list of shortcomings from Henning> Ah, I see. I must admit my eyes glazed a bit by the time I got to the relicensing template. BTW, (especially for Bruce, since he mentioned starting direct contacts with AT&T on this), there is a FAQ in the package of software itself that deals with licensing questions. I presume that, while not legally binding, its contents do show the actual intent of what they're trying to accomplish. I'll quote it here, so y'all don't have to contaminate yourself by opening the software 'capsule' (that's AT&T's new term for a shar packaged tarball): Ross --------------8<---------- snip here ----------8<------------- AT&T GraphViz (gviz) Source License FAQ 17 June 1999 Q1. Can I modify the source and distribute it to someone else? A1. Yes, but you need to package the modifications separately, usually as a patch file. Q2. Can I give the original source capsule to someone else? A2. You can, provided that the person you give it to has agreed to these same conditions. The person does not have to physically sign the license, but they must affirmatively agree to the same license agreement that you have. We have enclosed this agreement with the package. Q3. If I make changes to the source, can I keep them private? A3. You can as long as you do not distribute them to anyone else. If you distribute them to anyone else, then you need to make the changes available to AT&T and give AT&T the right to distribute these changes without any royalties. Q4. What types of changes must I make available to AT&T? A4. You only need to inform AT&T of changes to the source code files that are provided by AT&T. Q5. Can I distribute copies of binaries, compiled from the original or modified source, within and outside my company or organization? A5. Yes. The binaries should include the notice set forth in the agreement indicating that some of the underlying source code came from AT&T. Q6. Can I sell binaries? A6. Yes, provided that if you sell and provide support for comparable software products, you should provide similar support for such binaries. Q7. Are there any patents that would affect the use of this software? A7. The agreement allows you to use the AT&T source code (within the guidelines set forth in the agreement) without worrying about whether such usage infringes any patents AT&T may have. AT&T, however, cannot assure that the software does not infringe some other unknown third party's patents, which is why AT&T asks that you check the website http://www.research.att.com/sw/tools/graphviz for any notices relating to the software. Q8. Does AT&T provide support for any of this software? A8. AT&T does not provide support for the source code at this time. Q9. Can I get a license that allows me to redistribute the source files outside the capsule, e.g. in a CD-ROM file system. A9. Please contact AT&T if you are interested in a license that differs from the terms in the source code agreement, or if you have any questions regarding the agreement. --------------8<---------- snip here ----------8<------------- -- Ross J. Reedstrom, Ph.D., <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> NSBRI Research Scientist/Programmer Computer and Information Technology Institute Rice University, 6100 S. Main St., Houston, TX 77005
