[License-discuss] For Public Comment: The Libre Source License

[Thorsten Glaser]

Johnny A. Solbu dixit:

>On Thursday 22 August 2019 06:17, Howard Chu wrote:
>> Two of these which often appear necessary are the Chinese Dissident
>> test (requirement to publish will endanger them as it makes identi‐
>> fication possible)
>
>I don't believe this test is conclusive. Sending modifications back to the
>code's original author doesn't immediately publish them. And, publication

No. Sending will disclose that they use software X (or that they do
encrypted communication with a person in another country) which can
endanger them. The test is very useful.

>> The requirement to send modifications back doesn't prevent anyone from using the code. You
>> could call it best-effort, or at earliest opportunity.
>
>In Free Software the requirement to send modifications back only
>applies if you distribute your modifications. And you fullfill the

This is wrong. In Free Software, there is no requirement *at all*
to send modifications back.

(Some Free Software has a requirement to pass the modifications
along to the recipient if you distribute the work, but *never*
“back”. This is crucial, see above.)

bye,
//mirabilos
-- 
I believe no one can invent an algorithm. One just happens to hit upon it
when God enlightens him. Or only God invents algorithms, we merely copy them.
If you don't believe in God, just consider God as Nature if you won't deny
existence.		-- Coywolf Qi Hunt