Re: [Bitpim-devel] Licensing (again :-)

[Roger B. <ro...@ro...>]

> are.  Not sure about pySerial since its license file seems to date back
> to a time when python licenses were not GPL compatible. 

As far as I can tell, the pySerial license is identical to the Python Software
Foundation license:

http://www.opensource.org/licenses/PythonSoftFoundation.php

> I don't think
> the licenses of the installers and freezers are relevant to GPL
> compatibility.

They are :-)  On both Linux and Windows, a stub binary supplied
by the freezer (py2exe/cx_Freeze) is what is actually run.  It
arranges for the Python shared library to be loaded and locates
the BitPim code (typically in a seperate zip file, or in a
zip file appended to the end of the stub binary).  I believe they
are both ok anyway.  I think the Mac is just running the
Python binary directly.

> I'm not sure that the LGPL really fits and the talk of Library could be
> confusing in the context of BitPim.

I agree, although based on how the freezers work you could argue it
is a library :-)

> I guess my preference is to either stick with the V2.0 perl license or

I haven't had any response from the maintainer of that license or from
the Perl6 licensing mailing list.  Not a good thing.  I don't quite
see why all the various places kept saying to use that if it is
dead (or not particularly lively anyway).

> decide to use the full GPL after making sure that all the other
> components are GPL compatible. 

I think I am sold on this now.  I don't forsee any problems with the
components, but would appreciate other people checking.  Start from
this link:

http://bitpim.sourceforge.net/testhelp/3rdparty.htm

> The latter still leaves options for
> proprietary software developers that would like to use BitPim in some
> way.  They can try to negotiate a separate license with us, or they can
> use the "facts" (i.e. sync protocols for various phones) documented by
> BitPim in applications that don't use any BitPim code.

This also serves as a reminder to anyone who contributes code to ensure
that they appropriately mark their copyrights.  That means that you have
to be consulted for any use of your work outside the scope of the license
(which is a good thing).  You are also welcome to assign your copyright to
me (for example if you no longer intend to be active with BitPim, or you really
just don't care).

Roger