[License-review] Request for a new license review [Luther-LAW_DE.FID5237501]
Pamela Chestek
pamela at chesteklegal.com
Sat Jan 25 17:04:11 UTC 2025
Dear Niccolo,
Thank you very much for the clear explanation, it was very helpful. Let
me say first that I don't see any problem with approving it as an open
source license (my personal opinion only). I can't think of any reason
why a license that accepts greater liability would contradict the OSD. I
hope more German speakers will weigh in, though, on whether there is any
changed meaning because of the translation - Dirk provided some feedback
and it would be useful to have more.
My questions are more about its usefulness.
I assume the exclusion as you have written it is identical to what
German law says cannot be excluded, even by contract? I ask because the
EUPL excludes only "wilful misconduct or damages directly caused to
natural persons," which seems much narrower than your proposal, "INTENT,
FRAUDULENT MISREPRESENTATION, GROSS NEGLIGENCE, INJURY TO LIFE, LIMB OR
HEALTH AND INSOFAR AS LIABILITY CANNOT BE LIMITED OR EXCLUDED BY LAW."
If the license is deemed to be a gift, does this language expose someone
to greater liability than they would have because, contractually, they
agreed to it? In other words, are the exclusions for gifts and the
exclusions that are permitted in contracts the same, and reflected in
your language?
I am also curious about the audience for this license. You mention that
you are working on behalf of the city of Solingen. Will they be adopting
the license for their own works? My thought is that a non-lawyer, when
confronted with the choice of the original MIT license and this license,
will always choose the MIT license because no one who would choose a
limitation that is less comprehensive than one that is more
comprehensive, unless they understand everything you explained below. So
I wonder who would actually choose this license, even if it is the
better choice under German law.
And doesn't the city of Soligen have some kind of limitation on
liability because it is a governmental unit?
Thank you for the time you are taking to respond, I appreciate it.
Pam
Pamela S. Chestek
Chestek Legal
4641 Post St.
Unit 4316
El Dorado Hills, CA 95762
+1 919-800-8033
pamela at chesteklegal
www.chesteklegal.com
On 1/23/2025 2:54 AM, Langenheim, Niccolo wrote:
>
> Dear Pam,
>
> First of all, I would like to confirm that your assumption is correct,
> that this is essentially the MIT license with a modified limitation of
> liability adapted to German law.
>
> Regarding the questions about the limitation of liability, I would
> like to explain the following:
>
> I would like to provide a brief introduction to the legal assessment
> of a limitation of liability in Open-Source licenses. A limitation of
> liability can, on the one hand, result from the applicable statutory
> *law *(as is the case with Liability of the donor according to § 521
> BGB) or, on the other hand, be agreed *individually by contract*
> between the parties. According to § 521 BGB, the donor (licensor) is
> only liable for intent and gross negligence. In order to assess
> whether a statutory limitation of liability is applicable, it must
> first be determined which type of contract the Open-Source license
> falls under. In German legal literature, it is predominantly assumed
> that Open-Source licenses are generally subject to the donation law
> and that a limitation of liability within the limits of § 521 BGB
> therefore applies.
>
> However, I would like to emphasize that this is only the opinion of
> the legal literature. We are not aware of any court ruling that
> confirms this view. In this respect, there is a risk that a court may
> come to a different legal conclusion. For example, a court could
> evaluate the Open-Source licensing as normal licensing, with the
> result that, depending on the design, the provisions of the purchase,
> work or rental contract are applicable. These provisions do not have a
> limitation of liability comparable to the donation law.
>
> In order to exclude this risk and to agree on an effective limitation
> of liability independently of the legal assessment of the courts, it
> is therefore advisable to include an individual contractual limitation
> of liability in the license agreement. This was done in the original
> MIT license, but the limitation of liability in the standard MIT
> license does not meet the German legal requirements for an effective
> limitation of liability, since all liability (regardless of the type
> of damage and intentional commission) is excluded. This is invalid
> according to Section 309 No. 7 of the German Civil Code (BGB), with
> the consequence that the entire limitation of liability is invalid.
>
> This means that the product can be licensed according to the
> conditions that go beyond the limitation of liability, but an
> effective limitation of liability has not been agreed. It follows that
> the licensor is liable without limitation for any damages in
> accordance with the statutory provisions. In summary, this creates a
> liability risk for the licensor.
>
> I hope that I have been able to answer your questions with the above
> information and I am happy to answer any further questions.
>
> Kind Regards,
>
> Niccolo Langenheim
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> *Niccolo****Langenheim, LL.M.*
>
>
> Rechtsanwalt
>
> IP/IT
>
> *Luther Rechtsanwaltsgesellschaft mbH*
>
> Anna-Schneider-Steig 22 (Rheinauhafen), 50678 Köln, Germany
>
> Phone: +49 221 9937 21105
>
> Fax: +49 221 9937 110
>
> Mobile: +49 152 016 21105
>
> niccolo.langenheim at luther-lawfirm.com
> <mailto:niccolo.langenheim at luther-lawfirm.com>
>
> www.luther-lawfirm.com <http://www.luther-lawfirm.com/>
>
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>
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>
>
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>
> *From:*License-review <license-review-bounces at lists.opensource.org>
> *On Behalf Of *Pamela Chestek
> *Sent:* Mittwoch, 8. Januar 2025 08:56
> *To:* license-review at lists.opensource.org
> *Subject:* Re: [License-review] Request for a new license review
> [Luther-LAW_DE.FID5237501]
>
> Niccolo,
>
> As you mentioned, this is essentially the MIT License with a modified
> limitation of liability. You have said "the versatile MIT license does
> not contain a limitation of liability that is effective under German
> law." I would like to understand more about how the MIT License would
> be interpreted under German law. If the limitation of liability in it
> is not effective, how would the document be construed? Is it
> ineffective altogether, so there is no grant of a license at all? Of
> is the offending paragraph stricken, so license is effective but there
> is no limitation on liability?
>
> If that is the case, what is the possible liability of the authors or
> copyright holders where there is no limitation? For example, the
> language in your proposed license is "IN THE EVENT OF NEGLIGENT BREACH
> OF AN OBLIGATION, WHOSE FULFILLMENT IS ESSENTIAL FOR THE PERFORMANCE
> OF THE CONTRACT (CARDINAL OBLIGATION), THE LIABILITY OF THE AUTHOR OR
> COPYRIGHT HOLDER IS LIMITED TO THE AMOUNT OF DAMAGE THAT IS
> FORESEEABLE AND TYPICAL AT THE TIME THE CONTRACT IS CONCLUDED."
> Without that language, what is the extent of the liability the author
> or copyright holder might have? For example, would they be liable for
> non-negligent acts?
>
> I'm just trying to understand what the advantage is to stating the
> lawful boundaries of a limitation of liability versus what will happen
> with an unenforceable limitation - that is, if the MIT license, with
> an unenforceable limitation, nevertheless ends up in about the same place.
>
> Just also as a general point of information for readers, in the US it
> varies from state to state, but in general we also cannot disclaim
> liability for intentional, fraudulent, or grossly negligent acts. But
> most likely a could would just ignore the attempt and allow the
> limitation to the extent it is lawful.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Pam
>
> Pamela S. Chestek (in my personal capacity)
> Chestek Legal
> PLEASE NOTE OUR NEW MAILING ADDRESS
> 4641 Post St.
> Unit 4316
> El Dorado Hills, CA 95762
> +1 919-800-8033
> pamela at chesteklegal
> www.chesteklegal.com <http://www.chesteklegal.com>
>
> On 12/23/2024 3:17 AM, Langenheim, Niccolo wrote:
>
> Dear all,
>
> first thanks for the helpful feedback so far. Please find attached
> a first version of the English license text. We are still looking
> for an Open Source valid certified translator who will submit a
> certified translation. As soon as we have such a certified
> translation, we will make it available to you immediately. As we
> need to have a German license text, we need an official, and
> OSI-approved text of those licenses in German.
>
> The following is also the other requested information for the
> review process:
>
> 1. A copy of the license in both German and English can be found
> in the attachment in plain text format.
> 2. I hereby confirm that, to the best of my knowledge, the
> license submitted complies with the Open Source Definition and
> in particular fulfills OSD 3, 5, 6 and 9.
> 3. Since the license is to be used and created for the first time
> for a cross-city project, there are currently no projects
> using the license. However, it is planned that the license
> will be used in mid/late January.
> 4. The name of the license is OSC License and the version number
> is 1.0.
> 5. Need for regulation: Based on the queries, I would like to
> reiterate that the problem with the invalid limitation of
> liability mentioned in the previous email does not only exist
> in the public sphere (cities, etc.), but for anyone who wants
> to use the license. Regarding the distinction between the
> rights holder and the author, I would like to state the following:
>
> Copyright arises from the act of creation. It encompasses a range
> of powers of the author to use and exploit his work, which will be
> explained in more detail below.
>
> However, a distinction must be made here between two essential
> concepts:
>
> On the one hand, there is the highly personal right as the author.
> It is inextricably linked to the person of the author – which is
> why it is also referred to as the author's moral right. This right
> cannot be transferred to another person by contract, nor can
> another person be contractually designated as the author if the
> latter was not directly, practically and personally involved in
> the creation of the work. Furthermore, the author cannot waive his
> or her (moral) right of authorship.
>
> The moral rights of the author are to be distinguished from the
> rights of use and exploitation of a work – these can be
> transferred to other persons, for example by means of a license
> agreement. In order to take into account this *possible, but not
> mandatory*, disassociation of the author and the rights holder,
> both are included in the license.
>
> Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any further
> questions and please let me know if you require any further
> information.
>
> Kind Regards
>
> Niccolo Langenheim
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> *Niccolo****Langenheim, LL.M.*
>
>
> Rechtsanwalt
>
> IP/IT
>
> *Nächste geplante Abwesenheit/next planned absence: 23.12.2024 –
> 13.01.2025*
>
> **
>
> *Luther Rechtsanwaltsgesellschaft mbH*
>
> Anna-Schneider-Steig 22 (Rheinauhafen), 50678 Köln, Germany
>
> Phone: +49 221 9937 21105
>
> Fax: +49 221 9937 110
>
> Mobile: +49 152 016 21105
>
> niccolo.langenheim at luther-lawfirm.com
> <mailto:niccolo.langenheim at luther-lawfirm.com>
>
> www.luther-lawfirm.com <http://www.luther-lawfirm.com/>
>
>
> Luther Lawfirm - Juve 2024 <http://www.luther-lawfirm.com/>
>
> Einen Überblick über unsere aktuellen Veranstaltungen finden Sie
> im _Luther-Terminkalender
> <https://www.luther-lawfirm.com/newsroom/veranstaltungen>_
>
>
>
>
> <http://www.luther-lawfirm.com/>
>
> *From:*License-review
> <license-review-bounces at lists.opensource.org>
> <mailto:license-review-bounces at lists.opensource.org> *On Behalf Of
> *Pamela Chestek
> *Sent:* Freitag, 13. Dezember 2024 05:09
> *To:* license-review at lists.opensource.org
> *Subject:* Re: [License-review] Request for a new license review
>
> Hi Niccolo,
>
> Can you submit it with the information described on this page?
> https://opensource.org/licenses/review-process
>
> Since this is not in English, we will also need a certified
> translation of the license.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Pam Chestek
> Chair, License Committee
> Open Source Initiative
>
> On 12/11/2024 1:58 AM, Langenheim, Niccolo wrote:
>
> Dear Open Source Initiative Team,
>
> With this e-mail I am submitting a new Open Source license on
> behalf of my client, the city of Solingen in Germany. The need
> for the new license stems from the fact that the versatile MIT
> license does not contain a limitation of liability that is
> effective under German law. Even if it is predominantly
> assumed in the specialist literature that Open Source licenses
> are generally subject to donation law and therefore more
> favourable liability and warranty rights apply, it has not yet
> been confirmed by the courts. This results in the risk that
> courts may adopt a different legal interpretation in the event
> of a dispute, with the result that the statutory liability
> limitations of donation law no longer apply. However, it is
> particularly important for public law projects of cities,
> municipalities, etc. to agree a legally secure limitation of
> liability that guarantees a limitation of liability regardless
> of the legal classification.
>
> In order to close this gap in the limitation of liability and
> at the same time benefit from the advantages of an MIT
> license, we have drafted the following license, which, apart
> from an effective limitation of liability, is based on the MIT
> license:
>
> Copyright (c) <Jahr> <Copyright Inhaber>
>
> Jedem, der eine Kopie dieser Software und der zugehörigen
> Dokumentationsdateien (die „Software“) erhält, wird hiermit
> kostenlos die Erlaubnis erteilt, ohne Einschränkung mit der
> Software zu handeln, einschließlich und ohne Einschränkung der
> Rechte zur Nutzung, zum Kopieren, Ändern, Zusammenführen,
> Veröffentlichen, Verteilen, Unterlizenzieren und/oder
> Verkaufen von Kopien der Software, und Personen, denen die
> Software zur Verfügung gestellt wird, dies unter den folgenden
> Bedingungen zu gestatten:
>
> Der obige Urheberrechtshinweis und dieser Genehmigungshinweis
> müssen in allen Kopien oder wesentlichen Teilen der Software
> enthalten sein.
>
> DIE AUTOREN ODER URHEBERRECHTSINHABER HAFTEN UNBESCHRÄNKT BEI
> VORSATZ, ARGLISTIGER TÄUSCHUNG, GROBER FAHRLÄSSIGKEIT, DER
> VERLETZUNG VON LEIB, LEBEN ODER GESUNDHEIT UND SOWEIT DIE
> HAFTUNG GESETZLICH NICHT BESCHRÄNKT ODER AUSGESCHLOSSEN WERDEN
> KANN. BEI FAHRLÄSSIGER VERLETZUNG EINER PFLICHT, DEREN
> ERFÜLLUNG WESENTLICH FÜR DIE DURCHFÜHRUNG DES VERTRAGS IST
> (KARDINALPFLICHT), HAFTEN DIE AUTOREN ODER
> URHEBERRECHTSINHABER DER HÖHE NACH BEGRENZT AUF DEN SCHADEN,
> DER BEI VERTRAGSSCHLUSS VORHERSEHBAR UND TYPISCH IST.
>
> DARÜBER HINAUS IST EINE HAFTUNG AUSGESCHLOSSEN.
>
> DIE VORSTEHENDE HAFTUNGSBESCHRÄNKUNG GILT AUCH FÜR DIE HAFTUNG
> DER MITARBEITER, VERTRETER UND ORGANE DER AUTOREN ODER
> URHEBERRECHTSINHABER.
>
> Finally, I would like to note that the license has been
> legally reviewed by our law firm.
>
> I will be happy to answer any further questions.
>
> Kind Regards
>
> NiccoloLangenheim
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> *Niccolo****Langenheim*
>
>
> *Luther Rechtsanwaltsgesellschaft mbH*
>
> Anna-Schneider-Steig 22 (Rheinauhafen), 50678 Köln, Germany
>
> Phone: +49 221 9937 21105
>
> Fax: +49 221 9937 110
>
> Mobile: +49 152 016 21105
>
> niccolo.langenheim at luther-lawfirm.com
> <mailto:niccolo.langenheim at luther-lawfirm.com>
>
> www.luther-lawfirm.com <http://www.luther-lawfirm.com/>
>
>
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>
> Einen Überblick über unsere aktuellen Veranstaltungen finden
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> --
> Pamela S. Chestek Chair, License Committee Open Source Initiative
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
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