[License-review] For Approval: License Zero Reciprocal Public License
Kyle Mitchell
kyle at kemitchell.com
Mon Oct 23 21:47:53 UTC 2017
On 2017-10-23 14:10, Josh berkus wrote:
> On 10/23/2017 02:39 PM, Simon Phipps wrote:
> >
> >
> > On 23 Oct 2017 20:54, "Carlo Piana" <osi-review at piana.eu
> > <mailto:osi-review at piana.eu>> wrote:
> >
> > On 23/10/2017 20:39, Florian Weimer wrote:
> > > * Kyle Mitchell:
> > >
> > >> 3. Uses with any modification that is not "Open Source"
> > >> as defined by the Open Source Initiative must be
> > >> limited to <Grace Period> calendar days.
> > >>
> > >> 4. Uses as part of, or in development of, other
> > >> software that is not "Open Source" as defined by the
> > >> Open Source Initiative must be limited to <Grace
> > >> Period> calendar days.
> > > What is this supposed to mean?
> > >
> > > Usually, mere “use” of a software (in the sense of running the code)
> > > cannot be open source or not. That distinction only arises if
> > > redistribution happens.
> > >
> > > Clause 4 seems to restrict the use (running) of the software to
> > > open-source development. This is pretty close to a restriction on
> > > fields of endeavor.
> > That's precisely my point. It is a restriction on fields of endeavor.
> >
> > > Even the most restrictive open source licenses
> > > (like a common interpretation of the Sleeypcat license, or the QPL)
> > > permit arbitrary use for your own internal purpose. From a practical
> > > point of view, this is very important because it allows you to avoid
> > > complex license management for purely internal applications.
> >
> >
> > This is a show-stopper to me. A license that attempts to
> > control/restrict mere use seems to deny freedom zero, which is a
> > precondition of the whole OSD.
>
> Per Kyle's responses, this isn't intentional, but does point to the need
> for a wording change.
Unmodified use unrelated to software doesn't fall under any
numbered condition. As such, it's covered by the full
BSD-2-Clause general permission grant.
I'm not sure if Carlo objects to conditions on unmodified
use, or conditions on use generally, even with
modifications.
--
Kyle Mitchell, attorney // Oakland // (510) 712 - 0933
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