Re: PDO v2: Clarification regarding license

Lars Strojny writes:
 > I think it would be a great addition to the published FAQ
 > to compare both licenses, show the differences and explain
 > why these differences were a requirement

There is a FAQ answer about this, it says "the PDO license includes 
language that provides the same level of use rights and protections as 
the CLAs."

In general, it's difficult to discuss or explain legalese with less 
formal language, because the legalese is usually the most precise way to 
describe its own meaning.  Any other description of the meaning 
naturally uses different words, and therefore has different meaning.

I compared the PHP License vs. the proposed PDO License.  I'll offer a 
summary of the nontrivial differences as I read them.  Usual 
disclaimers:  IANAL, my summary shouldn't substitute for the actual 
text, consult your own qualified legal advice, etc.

- The PHP license does not explicitly grant copyright and patent 
license; the PDO license does grant these explicitly.  My understanding 
is the purpose of this is to make the license consistent with the CLA.
- The PHP license contains a copyright of the license itself; the PDO 
license does not.
- The PHP license does not define terms used in the license; the PDO 
license does.
- The PHP license requires that any form of redistribution contain the 
statement of acknowledgment; the PDO license instead requires that the 
entire license be included in distributions.
- The PHP license does not explicitly permit re-licensing of the code 
with different license terms; the PDO license has such a statement.
- The PHP license restricts the use of the name "PHP" in derivative 
product names; the PDO license does not restrict use of the name "PDO" 
but restricts use of the name "PHP Group" and names of contributors.
- The PHP license gives contact information of the license owners (for 
example to request permission to use the name of the PHP Group); the PDO 
license does not give contact information.
- The PHP license does not state that contributors retain rights to 
their contributions; the PDO license makes it clear that contributors do 
retain rights to their contributions.
- The PHP license disclaimer does not disclaim infringement of 
third-party rights; the PDO license does.

Other differences between the texts seemed to me to represent no 
significant differences in the behavior of the two licenses.

Regards,
Bill Karwin