On 02/13/12 04:32 PM, William Stein wrote:
On Mon, Feb 13, 2012 at 7:42 AM, Dr. David Kirkby
But currently SPKG.txt and COPYING state version 2 only.
SPKG.txt for Mercurial states
"== License ==
* GNU General Public License version 2, or any later version
"
but the COPYING file does not state "or any later version". Some programs do (like
znpoly), but Mercurial does not. Nor does gfan - despite you say you know different. Nor does the
COPYING file in 'moin', though SPKG.txt says it is "GPLv2+".
That does not matter.
Why does it not matter?
Note, that an author has to add the "or any later version" for it to become
applicable. Unless that is specifically stated, it you can't apply it.
I think you are just making that up. From the GPL: "If the Program
does not specify a version number of this License, you may choose any
version ever published by the Free Software Foundation."
I'm not making it up.
If someone writes "This program is released under the GPL", and does not state a
version, then you are correct that you are able to apply any version you want.
However, if a version is stated, as it it with moinmoin, gfan, Mercurial, then
you can't just add the "any later" bit if you chose to.
Take Moinmoin for example. As that is currently in Sage, the license says at the
top:
GNU GENERAL PUBLIC LICENSE
Version 2, June 1991
further down we read
Each version is given a distinguishing version number. If the Program
specifies a version number of this License which applies to it and "any
later version", you have the option of following the terms and conditions
either of that version or of any later version published by the Free
Software Foundation. If the Program does not specify a version number of
this License, you may choose any version ever published by the Free Software
Foundation.
Clearly in this case moinmoin has
1) Stated a version (version 2, June 1991)
2) Has not stated "or any later version"
3) Has not just stated "the GPL" and not given a version.
In that case, it is just version 2. But other code is just version 3. The two
are incompatible.
I would be very appreciate if you could provide even a shred of
evidence that supports your opinion that: "IMHO, if you want to be
totally legal, then you should not use Sage." I know of absolutely no
copyright issues with the current Sage distribution. If I were aware
of any violations, I would address them ASAP.
I've provided more than a shred of evidence.
Dave
--
To post to this group, send an email to sage-devel@googlegroups.com
To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to
sage-devel+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com
For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/sage-devel
URL: http://www.sagemath.org
