[License-review] ZENTAO PUBLIC LICENSE For Approval

[John Cowan]

Josh berkus scripsit:

> >> 5.3 Do not modify the source code of the software when you publish
> >> or integrate it.
> > 
> 
> Doesn't that make it not an open source license?

That's in the context of reuse without modification; I read it as saying
that if you are modifying, you are no longer in the scope of section 5
(but section 6 allows modification).  I agree that it is badly drafted.

But more to the point, OSI has historically not accepted badgeware
licenses like this, because they don't allow for the possibility of
reuse of parts (especially small parts) of the software in new contexts
where "texts, images, and links" are no longer relevant.  If you are
not allowed to use some low-level code module in your embedded device,
the code is not open source.

Since the endless repetition of the badgeware provision suggests that
it is first and foremost in the mind of the original poster, I don't
think this license has much hope of being changed for OSI compliance.


-- 
John Cowan          http://www.ccil.org/~cowan        cowan at ccil.org
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