Shriramana Sharma <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes: > Thanks for all your feedback, but the GPL also has some clauses that > are not applicable to documentation as pointed out at: > > http://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-faq.html#WhyNotGPLForManuals
If you re-read that section, it mostly addresses the FSF's desire for you to use their problematic FDL for documentation. Other messages in this thread have already pointed you to the problems for using the FDL. The only part in that section that actually addresses the GPL is: ===== The GPL was designed for programs; it contains lots of complex clauses that are crucial for programs, but that would be cumbersome and unnecessary for a book or manual. For instance, anyone publishing the book on paper would have to either include machine-readable "source code" of the book along with each printed copy, or provide a written offer to send the "source code" later. ===== The "lot of complex clauses ... that would be cumbersome and unnecessary" is greatly outweighed by the huge simplification that comes from having *all* software in a package -- programs, documentation, data -- licensed the same way, as already addressed in this thread. The only specific example given of a problem for the GPL applied to documentation is the requirement for the recipient to have access to the source. When distributing the package electronically, this is obviously no more a problem than for any other part of the software. When printing the book, a written offer to provide the source on request is sufficient. In summary: Please consider that section to be contrary to debian-legal's opinion of licensing. It's the view of most people on this list -- even most of those who *don't* see a problem with the FDL -- that it is still better to license all software in a package under the same license terms. If you want to choose the GPL for this, there's no problem with, and great convenience from, licensing all the software under those terms. -- \ "Kill myself? Killing myself is the last thing I'd ever do." | `\ -- Homer, _The Simpsons_ | _o__) | Ben Finney -- To UNSUBSCRIBE, email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with a subject of "unsubscribe". Trouble? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED]
