Modifying existing licenses in minor ways

[John Cowan]

"Adam C. Engst" wrote:

> >6.2 Effect of New Versions.
> >Once Original Code has been published under a particular version of
> >the License, You may always continue to use it under the terms of
> >that version. You may also choose to use such Original Code under
> >the terms of any subsequent version of the License published by Sun.
> >No one other than Sun has the right to modify the terms applicable
> >to Original Code.
> 
> [...] Initially, I was concerned
> that the last sentence would enable Sun to modify the terms, but on
> reflection, it would seem that sentence is instead saying only Sun
> can modify the license itself, and the fact that we're using it with
> non-Sun Original Code is irrelevant. Am I reading that correctly?

IANAL, but that last sentence troubles me.  If you wanted to issue
your code under an alternative license (e.g. the GNU GPL, or a
proprietary license), it sounds like you are debarred from doing so,
because that would be "modifying the terms applicable to Original
Code".  OTOH, I suspect that the clause is nugatory against you.

-- 
There is / one art                   || John Cowan <jcowan at reutershealth.com>
no more / no less                    || http://www.reutershealth.com
to do / all things                   || http://www.ccil.org/~cowan
with art- / lessness                 \\ -- Piet Hein