On Wed, Sep 5, 2012 at 9:32 AM, James Turner wrote:
> On 5 Sep 2012, at 09:06, Stuart Buchanan wrote:
>> As this comes up on a monthly basis, perhaps we need an FAQ explaining
>> why changing the license is a bad idea, has no support from the core
>> developers, isn't practical, and won't make any difference anyway?
>
> +1
I've created a wiki page collecting the reasons for not changing the license
in the following (protected) wiki article:
http://wiki.flightgear.org/Changing_the_FlightGear_License
I've also included the text below for comment. I don't expect everyone to agree
with every statement, but hopefully I've captured the main reasons why
the majority
of contributors on this list believe that FG should remain GPL.
Please let me know
of any omissions.
Note that I have explicitly not addressed the legality or not of FPS
et al. I think that is
sufficiently covered in our existing FAQ on the matter:
http://www.flightgear.org/flightprosim.html
Hopefully we will be able to point future posters on this issue to the
wiki and avoid
having to respond every couple of months.
-Stuart
The subject of changing the FlightGear license to a non-commercial one
comes up on a regular basis on the -devel list, typically with a wish
to stop the use of FlightGear by FlightProSim etc.
This page sets out the main reasons why the core FlightGear developers
do not intend to change the license, based on the views of long-time
contributors to the source code expressed on the list. While
individual contributors may disagree on particular points, it
represents the overall view of the core contributors.
Those wishing to propose a license change are encouraged to read this
instead of posting to the -devel list.
- Philosophically. The freedom to use FlightGear commercially is a
key freedom provided by the GPL. Removing that freedom makes
FlightGear less free, and would discourage contribution from current
developers who particularly value freedom.
- Commercial Contribution/Use. Some contributions are the direct
result of commercial use of FlightGear, and some current contributors
are paid for their FlightGear work, directly or indirectly. Moving to
a non-commercial license would immediately impact these contributions.
- Distribution. FlightGear is packaged in a number of Linux
distributions. Changing to a less free license would stop it from
being distributed in this way and reduce its reach.
- Practicality. Changing the license would require agreement from
everyone who has ever contributed to FlightGear. Given the age of the
project (15 years) and huge number of contributors (some of whom have
sadly passed away), this isn't practical.
- Effectiveness. Re-distributors/forkers such as FlightProSim have
so far shown no interest in keeping up with the latest FlightGear
version, and any license change would not impact their use of
back-level software. It is therefore unlikely that any license change
would have an impact.
--
Live Security Virtual Conference
Exclusive live event will cover all the ways today's security and
threat landscape has changed and how IT managers can respond. Discussions
will include endpoint security, mobile security and the latest in malware
threats. http://www.accelacomm.com/jaw/sfrnl04242012/114/50122263/
___
Flightgear-devel mailing list
Flightgear-devel@lists.sourceforge.net
https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/flightgear-devel
