Here's the entire debian/copyright file from the package (version 1.0-14): ---[BEGIN spellcast/copyright]--- This package was debianized by Ben Gertzfield [EMAIL PROTECTED] on Wed, 23 Sep 1998 18:43:26 -0700.
It was downloaded from http://www.eblong.com/zarf/spellcast.html Original Copyright: The original paper-and-pencil version of this game was created by Richard Bartle ([EMAIL PROTECTED]). This implementation is by Andrew Plotkin ([EMAIL PROTECTED]). It is copyright 1993 by Andrew Plotkin. The source code may be freely copied, distributed, and modified, as long as this copyright notice is retained. The source code and any derivative works may not be sold for profit without the permission of Andrew Plotkin and Richard Bartle. After discussion with Richard Bartle and Andrew Plotkin via email, they decided it was okay to charge a nominal copying fee if Spellcast was sold as part of a CD set. Here's the relevant emails: From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: spellcast To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Date: 06 Oct 1998 02:42:27 -0700 BEN - >The license of a Debian component may not restrict any party from >selling or giving away the software as a component of an aggregate >software distribution containing programs from several different >sources. The license may not require a royalty or other fee for such >sale. I have no problem with this. What I don't want is for some commercial game company to produce a version of my game and not pay me royalties for it. If it's part of a general collection of games, and it's OK by Andrew, then yes, his implementation can go on your distribution disc. >I believe the intention of the license to Spellcast as it is intends to make it free >software Yes, but the intention was that it be TOTALLY free. If people sell it for profit, then it's not totally free; if they charge for it to cover distribution costs, well, OK. ---[END spellcast/copyright]--- The problem that I have with this is that it doesn't allow commercial redistribution - in practice, putting all of our CD vendors at risk of a copyright infringement suit. I understand where the designer of the game, Rickard Bartle is coming from - he doesn't want anyone to exploit his game design to make millions for themselves without giving him a cent. But it does mean that it's not free enough for Debian (IMHO). Would anyone care to comment on my interpretation, specifically to support or rebuff my belief that this licence is not suitable for inclusion in Debian? I'd like more than my gut feeling before I file a serious bug against the package and petition for it's removal from testing (to avoid any more damage by not shipping it with Sarge). - Matt
