Re: [myhdl-list] DSX1000 Open-source Delta-Sigma DAC IP Core (MyHDL)

[George P. <ge...@ga...>]

Jan Decaluwe wrote:
> George Pantazopoulos wrote:
>   
>> Hey all,
>>
>> As I get back to business on my PhoenixSID project, I've decided to
>> release some useful components, starting with an open-source Delta-Sigma
>> audio DAC IP core (A DAC on your CPLD/FPGA for 'free').
>>     
>
> As I told you before, great work, George.
>
>   
Thanks!

> However, I had a closer look and I have a serious problem
> with the license. "Free for non-commercial use" suggests
> that it is not free for commercial use.
>
> To start with, this wouldn't qualify as an "open source"
> license, so it shouldn't be advertized as such.
>
> Secondly, I don't believe it's enforceable in practice. For
> malicious users it won't therefore make a difference.
> But what's worse, bona fide companies will simply avoid
> looking at the info. They don't want to be exposed to
> things that are not legally crystal-clear. And this
> bad effect may extend to the whole project.
>
>   

> There was a time when such considerations were also valid
> for open-source licenses, such as the GPL. However, by now
> many great companies have learned to integrate open-source
> projects in their products and profit from it.
>
> I want commercial users as much as other ones. In fact,
> I'll judge success or failure of the MyHDL project by its
> commercial relevance. Consequently, I wouldn't want to
> do anything to deter commercial users from using MyHDL.
>
> Now that we are considering an open-source IP library, these
> issues become relevant. As a minimum, any project should use an
> open-source compliant license. I'd prefer to keep it more strict,
> clear and simple, and simply require the LGPL.
>
> Jan
>
>   
Hi Jan, you raise some great points and I too want wide adoption.

     I didn't put a lot of thought into the license and am open to 
changing it. I don't mind opening it up for free commercial use as well. 
How would the LGPL license work in terms of hardware IP cores?

Thanks,
George