[License-review] Request for a new license review [Luther-LAW_DE.FID5237501]

Thu Mar 13 00:37:21 UTC 2025

Hi all,

My main concern here relates to the fact that open source is a global
community activity and it is generally impossible to predict where a user
of a given piece of software will be located, or what languages they will
understand, especially when they improve and share the work. This leads to
two concerns which may or may not need addressing - I apologise that as a
non-lawyer I cannot gauge the risks sucfficiently.

First, the notice requirement "The copyright notice above and this notice
of permission must be included in all copies or material parts of the
software."  Up until now many have reasonably assumed that users of source
code will speak at least some English in addition to any other languages
because the source code arises from English, and thus that permissions in
English are necessary. While this is an increasingly uncertain assumption,
I do get concerned when a license steward assumes that only their
non-English version will be used.
I would thus prefer to see the notice requirement clarify that the
steward-supplied English translation satisfies the requirement.

Second, the acceptance of liability. While I recognise that the main
motivation for this is to adjust for the liability regime in Germany, I am
concerned that the second part accepting liability creates too much risk in
jurisdictions where liability can be disclaimed. I wonder if the whole
section should be boxed with the idea in the middle that "IF LIABILITY
CANNOT BE LIMITED OR EXCLUDED BY LAW." and the MIT or BSD disclaimer
included otherwise?

Obviously I am happy to defer if the lawyers here believe these two
concerns are over-cutious!

Cheers

Simon
(in a personal capacity)

On Tue, Mar 11, 2025 at 3:03 AM Pamela Chestek <
pamela.chestek at opensource.org> wrote:

> All,
>
> Any more comments on the license? I have not heard any objection to
> approving the license, so this is your last chance to express any concern.
>
> Pam
>
> Pamela S. Chestek
> Board Member
> Open Source Initiative
> On 2/26/2025 6:10 AM, Langenheim, Niccolo wrote:
>
> Dear Pam,
>
>
>
> Please find attached the certified translation of the OSC – License.
> Kindly note, that we have clarified the wording of the Rights Holders to
> Author and/or Licensors and the wording of agreement to OSC License
> Agreement.
>
>
>
> 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
> ------------------------------
>
> *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
>
> www.luther-lawfirm.com
>
>
>
>
>
> [image: 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:* Pamela Chestek <pamela.chestek at opensource.org>
> <pamela.chestek at opensource.org>
> *Sent:* Montag, 17. Februar 2025 18:51
> *To:* License submissions for OSI review
> <license-review at lists.opensource.org>
> <license-review at lists.opensource.org>; Langenheim, Niccolo
> <niccolo.langenheim at luther-lawfirm.com>
> <niccolo.langenheim at luther-lawfirm.com>
> *Subject:* Re: [License-review] Request for a new license review
> [Luther-LAW_DE.FID5237501]
>
>
>
> Niccolo,
>
> We seem to be stalled on this license. Are you expecting to be able to
> provide a certification of the translation?
>
> If not, since I believe we have at least two native German speakers on the
> list (Dirk and Catherine), I would be content with their confirmation that
> the translation is accurate.
>
> Pam
>
>
>
> 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
>
> www.luther-lawfirm.com
>
>
>
>
>
> [image: 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>
> <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
>
> Niccolo Langenheim
> ------------------------------
>
> *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
>
> www.luther-lawfirm.com
>
>
>
>
>
> [image: 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/>
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
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> ------------------------------
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>
>
>
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>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
>
> The opinions expressed in this email are those of the sender and not necessarily those of the Open Source Initiative. Communication from the Open Source Initiative will be sent from an opensource.org email address.
>
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> --
> Pamela S. Chestek Chair, License Committee Open Source Initiative
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Geschäftsführer: Elisabeth Lepique, Dr. Markus Sengpiel
> Die Gesellschaft ist eingetragen beim Registergericht Köln
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> _______________________________________________
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> Die Gesellschaft ist eingetragen beim Registergericht Köln
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> ------------------------------
>
>
>
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
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