> Now, I'm sure any company out there utilziing FarCry probably does  
> something similar to this scenario, just substitute medical for  
> whatever. Is the essence in licensing change mean that even though  
> Company A utilized a public API for a framework, as that's what the  
> FarCry core has been termed as, these objects would have to be  
> released under (L)GPL if Company A does not purchase a commercial  
> license? Is that the essence of what this change would mean to  
> developers using FarCry to provide solutions to customers using the  
> same "solutions"?


I think Phil is reiterating what most people seem to be concerned  
about here.  Example: If I make a project folder for a client and in  
that folder are the contents of files I make/modify for said client,  
and these are the only files I modify (not actually modifying core or  
cms plugin files) will I have to share said modifications (or purchase  
a license)?  In this scenario I would most likely be extending the  
core and/or cms to add/modify metadata in the COAPI or other  
customizations allowed by the framework and webtop.  It sounds like  
the answer is: "Only if I share the same code with more than one  
client".

If my understanding is correct, then it may leave a lot of grey area  
(that we just need some clarification for).  Let me give a very simple  
example: Lets say I extend dmProfile to add a photo (in my project  
files, not modifying core files).  Now, lets say I do that for a lot  
of clients (same modifications).  Would I be required to share the  
code modifications within the project files to the community (both  
COAPI metadata and webskin changes) or be required to purchase a  
license ?  (I know that is a simple example where I doubt any coder  
would mind sharing the code... I'm just trying to work with a simple  
example).

If I am incorrect about that scenario, then the only other case I can  
think of is the more obvious: If I make modifications to the actual  
core files (or cms plugin files), and I distribute said modifications  
to more than one client, I am obligated to either purchase a license  
or distribute the code.  In this case, I completely agree and would  
strongly support the license.  However if I need to share any client  
project files with the community (or purchase a license because I made  
projects files that I happened to use with more than one client) then  
I'd need more clarification on the license first and make sure I can  
convey that to the client beforehand.

Now plugins and skeletons... this opens a whole new can of worms.   
Lately I've been promoting FarCry 5 quite a bit (user group  
presentations, ColdFusion conferences) and one of the strong selling  
points I've been telling companies is that both plugins and skeletons  
allow companies to sell commercial products for the FarCry framework.   
I'm not saying I've misinformed them (they are well aware that FarCry  
5 hasn't been released, thus anything said before it's launch is up  
for change... including its license).  I'm just concerned about how it  
would effect these scenarios.  What should I tell people?  If FarCry  
uses the GPL license moving forward, would anyone selling a plugin or  
skeleton be required to purchase some type of license?  If so, what  
license (since neither product actually includes core or cms plugin  
files)?  I want to make sure that going forward, I convey the correct  
message.

And finally, my thoughts on the exact license of choice (in this case  
the GPLv3 (instead of GPLv2)).

I'm no lawyer, nor do I claim to comprehend software licensing beyond  
their basics.  But I do recall Linus Torvalds and TiVo speaking out  
strongly against GPL v3 stating that some of it's restrictions to the  
company using it (in this case Daemon) was a step backward (and  
possibly negatively effecting those involved due to some fine print).   
I believe Linus was saying something to the fact that he would never  
have Linux move from GPLv2 to GPLv3 due to many of it's restrictions  
and how it could negatively effect Linux moving forward.  If memory  
serves me correctly TiVo refused to change its license to GPLv3 due to  
some of the finer print that would restrict the product from doing  
certain types of future updates (thus negatively effecting both the  
company (TiVo) and the customer).

I'm sure some other expert can correct me on those issues (about GPLv2  
vs. GPLv3), but if anything at least do a Google search on GPLV3 and  
Linus Torvalds and/or Tivo to maybe get a better understanding of the  
issues (hopefully I'm wrong and we don't have to worry about this).

Regards,

--
Jeff Coughlin
Web Application Developer
http://jeffcoughlin.com

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