> 1. Why do *you* add the exception that permits for linking w/ some > GPL-incompatible program > a) in a debian-specific diff? The exception has to be granted by > upstream and they have to release a version that has this exception. > You must not add it yourself!
The license is from the 0.98 version. 0.98 had some problems which is why I reverted to 0.97 until I can sort them out. I did change a tiny thing on the 0.98 license. It should be the upstream author of ibwebadmin and not the upstream author of JSRS to make the linking exception. I already contacted upstream ibwebadmin about it and it will be in the next release. > b) at the top of LICENSE file, which is otherwise pure GPL? This > exception seems to fit more into a file that would be called i.e. > COPYING, where the copying informations would be held and which > would contain the "exception" and reference to the pure GPL in LICENSE > file. My understanding was that the exception was a part of the legal agreement regarding the copyright. In other words, a license. This is were I advised upstream to put it. Maybe I was mistaken? > I saw you already contacted upstream about it, but *they* should release > a version that contains the new COPYING rules. They will. If it is a problem I'll wait for it before asking for an upload to unstable. I thought it was ok to proceed at least to mentors.debian.net to request comments. > 2. I don't like the "No Nonsense Copyright and License for JSRS > JavaScript Remote Scripting". It seems that debian-legal didn't like > it either. Again you should try to contact upstream and explain > the problem. Dual licensing w/ GPL (or LGPL) would be an option that > would also eliminate all problems mentioned in 1) by eliminating the > need for an exception. Upstream JSRS prefered to keep his license and go for the linking exception. Debian-legal asserted that that was a solution. See: http://lists.debian.org/debian-legal/2004/05/msg00799.html and the surrounding thread. They think it is DFSG free and an linking exception would solve the incompatibility. Cheers, Remco.
