On Fri, Jul 23, 2004 at 05:54:29PM +1000, Matthew Palmer wrote: > > "The license of a Debian component may not restrict any party from selling > > or giving away the software ..." > > > > I believe "may not restrict" is the operative phrase; this is a restriction. > > I think we need to include the rest of that sentence is important, though: > "as a component of an aggregate software distribution...". I would > fully support an amendment which made it explicit that DFSG #1 applied to > individual distribution also, but as written I think it is mostly a > protection for commercial Debian distributors, and a restatement of DFSG #9.
The "component of an aggregate ..." phrase is usually read as a specific restriction which is allowed: restrictions like "this may only be distributed along with other programs"[1] are free. DFSG#1 certainly applies to non- aggregate distribution, as well. I think it's pretty much the same thing, anyway; most licenses apply restrictions on distribution--not caring whether it's aggregated or not. The QPL's restrictions on distribution still apply if aggregated with other works, so DFSG#1 applies even if we accept your argument. [1] Bundling with "hello world" to form a trivial aggregate is generally expected to satisfy this; anything stronger, such as "must be bundled with at least 10 megs of other stuff" would probably be non-free. -- Glenn Maynard
