Re: [Jython-dev] Jython license and GPL incompatibility

[<bc...@wo...>]

[Ben Burton]

>> [...] I'm not familiar with the S/N level on debian-legal.
>
>Sorry, what's S/N?  I don't know if this answers your question but 
>debian-legal is relatively low-traffic and tends to be almost all serious 
>postings.

Yes, that answers my questions. The responses have answered it even
better <0.3 wink>.

>> Also, I'm not all that interested in whether debian can include jython. I'm
>> more interested in whether jython can include ReadlineConsole.
>
>My concern is the same as yours.  Debian can certainly include jython 
>regardless; its license is well within the bounds of the debian policy.  My 
>concern is whether I can include readline support in the jython package. 

Right.

>And 
>one would presume that the legality of packaging ReadlineConsole.class does 
>not differ between debian and your official Jython installer.

Heh. That assumes that legal interpretation is somehow final. We all
(should) know that it isn't. I still believe that 2.1a1 is within the
acceptable use of LGPL/GPL code. Other people may believe otherwise and
act accordingly.

As always in human affairs there are approximately as many views as
there are people. Some will believe that the intend of the GPL matters
above all, others will believe that the letter of the GPL carries the
final word.

I think the answer is somewhere in between. I feel the current use of
LGPL software is acceptable and in accordance with the letter but I'm
open to input from the authors of the software and/or GPL. I'm also open
to the public opinion; jython is part of the open source world and it
should play nice with other free/open source projects.

regards,
finn