Question about BuSL / transform-on-time licenses

Joe Brockmeier <[email protected]>
Newsgroups gmane.linux.debian.devel.legal
Organization LWN
Message-ID <20240729143923.3e60eb92@fedora>
Hi all,

The Fedora Project is discussing how to properly represent code that
was originally licensed under the Business Source License (BuSL) and
other licenses that transform on time. [1]

Specifically - let's say there's a project that uses the Business
Source License (BuSL) and is supposed to convert to GPL after N years.
Obviously, the GPL is an acceptable license for Debian - but what steps
would be required to ensure the entire codebase had converted so that
no parts would still be under BuSL?

I'm wondering if the Debian Project has a position on this that's
documented somewhere, or if this has come up yet? I'm specifically
interested in how the project would address risk / confirm that the
whole codebase had transformed or if Debian would avoid a (formerly)
BuSL licensed project entirely. [2]

I'd skimmed through the archives but haven't found anything - which
doesn't mean it does not exist, I may just have failed in my searching. 

[1] https://lwn.net/ml/fedora-legal/CALC7GWw7F5Bz_+5GTGW1+3xz1DZg5RLn=Bxi-r7Rt_x0UqNAow@mail.gmail.com/

[2] https://lwn.net/ml/fedora-legal/CAC1cPGztsUD5D5xo4aUKpgypwVZ+rzE_PZVnMNEb-_pkGg+Mqg@mail.gmail.com/
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