[License-discuss] License pages cleanup project underway

[Brian Behlendorf]

On Tue, 4 Apr 2023, Stefano Maffulli wrote:
> Indeed, the license-discuss archive seems to be fairly complete. We 
> can't find  the archives (if they exist) of board discussions where 
> licenses were formally approved, if such proof of approval existed in 
> the first place.
> 
> Does anyone have a recollection of how the board approved and kept 
> records of approval besides messaging license-discuss? Does anybody 
> remember how the board operated, where they kept records of their 
> decisions in the 1998-2007 timeframe?

There was (presumably still is) a board at opensource.org email list. As one 
of the original board members I was on it and have archives of that list 
since Nov 1998. However I am not sure I saved everything - I tend to be a 
packrat with email but may have not kept up with all threads - but I'm 
certain I saved everything I sent to that list since that's automatic. We 
are talking thousands of emails here. So, if I were to prepare them to 
share, I'd need time to properly review to make sure that whatever tool I 
use to autoselect these and package them into mbox files for someone 
doesn't accidentally sweep in other things unintended to be shared. I also 
would only be comfortable sharing it with the current members of the OSI 
board, since in looking through them I see items that are marked 
ATTORNEY-CLIENT PRIVILEGE where the client was the OSI board. There's also 
a lot of petty personal drama and fireworks that thankfully the OSI is 20 
years past and would be completely not worth revisiting. So a further 
stage of review by a board member would be necessary to know what's in 
there. I can take this on but I am wary of giving time frames for how 
quickly I can deliver.

Also, I believe I have archives of most things sent to 
license-discuss at opensource.org since 19 Apr 1999 which I believe must be 
soon after it was created. As that was a public list I have fewer qualms 
about who to share that with, but likewise I'd need some time to be sure I 
was sharing only what's shareable.

Brian