-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE----- Hash: SHA1 Steve Langasek wrote:
> So, without further ado: > > The application of DFSG#2 to firmware and other data > ==================================================== > > The Debian Project recognizes that access to source code for a work > of software is very important for software freedom, but at the > same time "source" is often not a well-defined concept for works > other than those traditionally considered "programs". The most > commonly cited definition is that found in version 2 of the GNU > GPL, "the preferred form of the work for making modifications to > it," but for non-program works, it is not always clear that > requiring this "source" as a precondition of inclusion in main is > in the best interest of our users or advances the cause of Free > Software: > > - The author's preferred form for modification may require non-free > tools in order to be converted into its final "binary" form; e.g., > some device firmware, videos, and graphics. - The preferred form > for modification may be orders of magnitude larger than the final > "binary" form, resulting in prohibitive mirror space requirements > out of proportion to the benefits of making this source universally > available; e.g., some videos. - The "binary" and "source" forms of > a work may be interconvertible with no data loss, and each may be > the preferred form for modification by different users with > different tools at their disposal; e.g., some fonts. > > While the Debian Free Software Guidelines assert that source code > is a paramount requirement for programs, they do not state that > this is the case for non-program works, which permits us to > consider whether one of the above points justifies a pragmatic > concession to the larger context within which Free Software > operates. > > THE DEBIAN PROJECT therefore, > > 1. reaffirms its dedication to providing a 100% free system to our > users according to our Social Contract and the DFSG; and > > 2. encourages authors of all works to make those works available > not only under licenses that permit modification, but also in forms > that make such modifications practical; and > > 3. supports the decision of the Release Team to require works such > as images, video, and fonts to be licensed in compliance with the > DFSG without requiring source code for these works under DFSG #2; > and > > 4. determines that for the purposes of DFSG #2, device firmware > shall also not be considered a program. > > ============================================================================== > > > I think this is a well thought out and sensible proposal, and will therefore second it. Cheers, Nick -----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE----- Version: GnuPG v1.4.3 (GNU/Linux) Comment: Using GnuPG with Mozilla - http://enigmail.mozdev.org iD8DBQFE7DNedZJIm8yYOSgRAnGaAJwK71Y+6ldX18nhZuJXWh9zenL0qACfY4yT 4pb+tkEEvzWLvDz7pQPMFcU= =F13b -----END PGP SIGNATURE----- -- To UNSUBSCRIBE, email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with a subject of "unsubscribe". Trouble? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED]
