[License-review] For Approval: Open Logistics License v1.2

[Bradley M. Kuhn]

Josh Berkus wrote:
> My one request is: from a developer perspective, somewhere this license
> needs a FAQ that explains in developer (non-lawyer) terms when I would want
> to use it, in preference to the standard APL, and why.

This is a very good request; I'd like to see that that FAQ as described, too.

If a license submitter cannot make a clear and compelling case as to why
their license serves a *widespread* need for many different FOSS communities,
*and* explain how that need is wholly unserved by all existing FOSS licenses —
then the license almost surely just a vanity license.

IOW, I believe Open Logistics Foundation when they tell us they need this
license for their own needs; heck, I even believed MongoDB when they said
they needed the SS Public License for their own needs.  But both
organizations aren't held back from promulgating a license; they can do
that without OSI.  They come to OSI for its endorsement and to build
their own licensing credibility upon a foundation of OSI's credibility.

OSI-approval should always include the question that Josh is getting at:
whether the license is in service to a broader FOSS community beyond the
organization submitting it.  I hope that the OSI Board of Directors considers
this criterion before it declares a license as OSI-approved.  I'd love
to see Josh's question answered retroactively for other already-approved
but-almost-never-used licenses as well.  If the license submitter doesn't
provide that FAQ, OSI should really write it as part of the approval document.

 -- bkuhn