Thanks for contacting us Frank, we have not had any feedback to this effect
previously.
I am sure we can tightening up the language in the CLA, and could issue a new
version of the document following our usual change procedure.
Our project is "open" allowing you to assemble a "proposal" to change the
wording (as outlined in the developers guide). You do not have to be a member
of the project steering committee to make a proposal. This would also give your
legal department something to review prior to us issuing a new copy of the
document. In this particular case we will need to assemble a document, and then
pass it to the OSGeo board for final approval (as OSGeo is the legal entity
effected).
IDEAS
If we stole some of the language from here (http://geotools.org/about.html) (
or here (http://docs.geotools.org/latest/userguide/geotools.html) ) would it be
appropriate? Or even just "GeoTools is an open source Java library that
provides tools for geospatial data." from our website.
The reason the scope of our project is "left open" is to allow for growth. Some
avenues for growth that are requested on the email list are:
- Command line access to GeoTools functionality, especially recent process work
- Improved "demo" gt-swing application showcasing GeoTools functionality
Both of these "directions" go a bit beyond just a Java toolkit for spatial
data, as in fact do the number of client implementations (wfs, wms, wps)
included currently.
--
Jody Garnett
On Wednesday, 12 December 2012 at 3:18 AM, Frank Warmerdam wrote:
> Folks,
>
> I have been seeking to have Google sign a corporate CLA
> to cover contributions to the GeoTools projects so we could
> feed back a few existing improvements, and some future
> potential improvements. During internal review of the CLA
> we have encountered some concerns from our legal staff.
>
> From our legal representative:
>
> """
> Google is not willing to sign the agreement as it currently stands due to how
> "the project" is currently defined in the agreement. The agreement states
> 'The "Project" is the collaborative effort known as the Geotools Project,
> currently described at
> http://www.geotools.org which initially aims to design and create an open
> source Java language library for
> the management and analysis of spatial, geographic data.'
>
> This does not actually define anything in particular, rather it seems
> amorphous thing that apparently can be changed (since it's only "currently
> described"). It's completely ambiguous what this is (a legal entity, a piece
> of software, etc). In turn, this makes it completely indefinite what terms
> such as "solely as part of the Geotools Project" mean in the patent grant,
> and what "except where exercise of rights in the Contribution as part of the
> Geotools Project is
> not feasible without such modification or combination." means in the
> definition of 'licensed patents'.
>
> If these were tied to a particular software project, we'd be willing to sign
> it.
> """
>
> I'm going to seek an internal suggestion of a change to
> the text, but I wanted to raise the issue here and get
> a sense of whether others have encountered similar
> issues and if there is any appetite for changes to the CLA.
>
> For reference, I am pursuing this matter as a Google employee.
>
> Best regards,--
> ---------------------------------------+--------------------------------------
> I set the clouds in motion - turn up | Frank Warmerdam, [email protected]
> (mailto:[email protected])
> light and sound - activate the windows | http://pobox.com/~warmerdam
> and watch the world go round - Rush | Geospatial Software Developer
>
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