[License-review] For Approval: W3C Software and Document License

[Wendy Seltzer]

Hi,

This is a submission of the W3C Software and Document License (2015) for
Approval, per the process described at https://opensource.org/approval .
I am counsel to the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C).

The license can be found at:
https://www.w3.org/Consortium/Legal/2015/copyright-software-and-document
A text copy of the license is attached.

Rationale: This 2015 revision updates the earlier version of a W3C
Software License currently listed by OSI:
https://opensource.org/licenses/W3C
The 2015 version makes clear that the license is applicable to both
software and text, by changing the name and substituting "work" for
instances of "software and its documentation." It moves "notice of
changes or modifications to the files" to the copyright notice, to make
clear that the license is compatible with other liberal licenses.

Distinguish: This license is substantively equivalent to the previous
version of the W3C Software License. We should replace the previous
version with this 2015 version.

Legal review: W3C counsel discussed with the W3C Patents and Standards
Interest Group; Advisory Committee; and membership. We believe it to be
substantively equivalent to the earlier license.

Proliferation category: Replacing an existing Non-reusable license.
W3C updated the license to reduce proliferation by making it clearly
possible to publish both software and specifications under the same
free/open license. The license is used by W3C groups and their
contributors for software such as test suites and reference
implementations, as well as for some documentation and specifications.



I'm making this request now because a W3C participant brought to my
attention that projects would find it easier to use and distribute
W3C-licensed software if our current license were OSI-listed.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Thanks,
--Wendy

-- 
Wendy Seltzer -- wseltzer at w3.org +1.617.715.4883 (office)
Strategy Lead and Counsel, World Wide Web Consortium (W3C)
https://wendy.seltzer.org/        +1.617.863.0613 (mobile)

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W3C Software and Document Notice and License

This work is being provided by the copyright holders under the
following license.

License

By obtaining and/or copying this work, you (the licensee) agree that
you have read, understood, and will comply with the following terms
and conditions.

Permission to copy, modify, and distribute this work, with or without
modification, for any purpose and without fee or royalty is hereby
granted, provided that you include the following on ALL copies of the
work or portions thereof, including modifications:

    * The full text of this NOTICE in a location viewable to users of
    the redistributed or derivative work.

    * Any pre-existing intellectual property disclaimers, notices, or
    terms and conditions. If none exist, the W3C Software and Document
    Short Notice should be included.

    * Notice of any changes or modifications, through a copyright
    statement on the new code or document such as "This software or
    document includes material copied from or derived from [title and
    URI of the W3C document]. Copyright © [YEAR] W3C® (MIT, ERCIM,
    Keio, Beihang)."

Disclaimers

THIS WORK IS PROVIDED "AS IS," AND COPYRIGHT HOLDERS MAKE NO
REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT
LIMITED TO, WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY
PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR THAT THE USE OF THE SOFTWARE OR DOCUMENT WILL
NOT INFRINGE ANY THIRD PARTY PATENTS, COPYRIGHTS, TRADEMARKS OR OTHER
RIGHTS.

COPYRIGHT HOLDERS WILL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, SPECIAL
OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF ANY USE OF THE SOFTWARE OR
DOCUMENT.

The name and trademarks of copyright holders may NOT be used in
advertising or publicity pertaining to the work without specific,
written prior permission. Title to copyright in this work will at all
times remain with copyright holders.


Notes

This version: http://www.w3.org/Consortium/Legal/2015/copyright-software-and-document

Previous version: http://www.w3.org/Consortium/Legal/2002/copyright-software-20021231

This version makes clear that the license is applicable to both software and text, by changing the name and substituting "work" for instances of "software and its documentation." It moves "notice of changes or modifications to the files" to the copyright notice, to make clear that the license is compatible with other liberal licenses.