Re: Updating the PHP license

> On May 18, 2024, at 15:18, Ben Ramsey <[email protected]> wrote:
> 
> Hi, all!
> 
> Over the years, the open source community, including Debian, has had a few lengthy discussions and disagreements regarding the PHP license.[^1][^2][^3] The TL;DR sentiment of all these discussions amounts to: change the license to something well-understood and less problematic.
> 
> So, that’s what I’m proposing to do in a new RFC I’ve drafted for the PHP project: https://wiki.php.net/rfc/php_license_update 
> 
> I’ve not opened this up for discussion within the PHP project yet, since I’m still collecting feedback, and that’s why I’m sharing it here. I’ve put a lot of work into presenting what I think is a sound and well-reasoned argument for this change, and I’m asking for feedback from this group regarding the method and theory I’m using to go about it.
> 
> Thanks in advance!
> 
> Cheers,
> Ben
> 
> 
> [^1]: https://duckduckgo.com/?q=site%3Ahttps%3A%2F%2Flists.debian.org%2Fdebian-legal%2F+php
> [^2]: https://lwn.net/Articles/604630/
> [^3]: https://ftp-master.debian.org/php-license.html
> 


I wanted to follow up to let this list know that I implemented a lot of the feedback I received from you, and I also formally retained legal counsel, after which I opened discussion regarding the RFC on the PHP internals mailing list on July 10, 2025 (see https://news-web.php.net/php.internals/127984). I’ve obtained consent/approval from all members of the PHP Group and Zend/Perforce, and I’m finally ready to bring the RFC to a vote with the community, which should open on, or shortly after, March 13.

Thanks so much for your earlier replies and advice. If you have any feedback or concerns feel free to message me directly or respond on the PHP internals mailing list.

Cheers,
Ben