[moregroupware-devel] Thomas Bley :: Formal Complaint

[David L. <llo...@ad...>]

Karsten,

I would not normally take this step especially since my contributions
have only been very small and inconsequential. Nonetheless, it appears
that Thomas Bley--copyright holder of a number of modules in
Moregroupware--has unilaterally removed the code from Moregroupware.

Noting that all his code is released under the GPL and that the main
Moregroupware project releases ALL its code to any developer who has CVS
access to Sourceforge, it is difficult for me to understand how the main
project contravenes the licence under which Thomas has put his code.

This action can only be seen to be spiteful and malicious.

Given Thomas' emails over the last week, which I might charitably call
rantings, it is probably to Moregroupware's advantage to not use any of
Thomas' code lest he attempt to sue or otherwise damage the reputation
of the project. Nonetheless some of the modules that he has removed are
successful for the well-being of the project and should be put back into
the project source [but only for the time being].

I recommend:

 1. Removing Thomas Bley from the development team

  - I am willing to step in as "caretaker" for all his modules if noone
    else does
  - I would also note that I no longer see his name on sourceforge so
    someone may already have done this

 2. Work diligently and quickly to eradicate ANY module that is
    copyright to Thomas

  - For obvious reasons; leaving the modules in and distributing them in
    the long term will only expose us and any of our users to a law suit
    in the future

It displeases me that I have to appeal to you in this manner, however as
my .signature shows I am heavily involved in a number of business
networks and it is this kind of behaviour that frightens management from
using open source.

David Lloyd

--
Open Source Business Network SA
 http://osbn.inetd.com.au/

Open Source Industry Australia
 http://osia.net.au/