Re: The real problem with the XFree86 license and a possible solution

On Fri, 9 Apr 2004, Vincent wrote:

> We feel that the key issue is number 3 since the only change is the
> credits clause and this is where our concern lies.  First, let me say
> that we have no problem with your apparent motive of just wanting the
> XFree86 projects work credited even in binary only releases, but there
> is a serious problem with your approach.

> <license clauses>
> 2. Redistributions in binary form must reproduce the above copyright
>    notice, this list of conditions and the following disclaimer in the
>    documentation and/or other materials provided with the
>    distribution, and in the same place and form as other copyright,
>    license and disclaimer information.

> 3. The end-user documentation included with the redistribution, if any,
>    must include the following acknowledgment: "This product includes
>    software developed by The XFree86 Project, Inc
>    (http://www.xfree86.org/) and its contributors", in the same place
>    and form as other third-party acknowledgments. Alternately, this
>    acknowledgment may appear in the software itself, in the same form
>    and location as other such third-party acknowledgments.
> </license clauses>

> We believe the entire problem lies in the two statements,

> "in the same place and form as other copyright, license and disclaimer
> information"

> and

> "in the same form and location as other such third-party
> acknowledgments"

> At first glance this sounds like a reasonable request.  However, as a
> software distributer, it is likely to be impossible to guarantee
> compliance.  With the thousands of X applications out there, a free
> software distributer cannot guarantee that every application adhears
> to this requirement.

Of course not.  But the clauses you quote don't require that.  The onus is on
the redistribution as a whole (i.e. your bundling), not on the individual
applications you include in it.

Marc.

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