Re: [gNewSense-users] rus-ispell License Clarification

[Lee McCafferty]

I'm pretty sure you could sign this off as free. Like you said, there
are no obvious restrictions on this package. I would interpret this
license as free but not copylefted. The line that allows for
distribution of binaries of modified source suggests that modified
versions could be closed up, but the original package remains free.

I'm not familiar with how ispell works, but I would imagine that patches
for the package would be in source code format and therefore fine. Even
if patches were in binary format, I would doubt that it affects the
freedom of the original package.  

The original ispell program has a similar license. It allows for
distribution of source or binaries, and although this is considered
sub-optimum by the FSF (because it is not protected by copy-left) it is
still free software as it does not deprive users of any of the four
basic freedoms. 

I understand your hesitance, because the language in licenses can be
vague at best. If you are still unsure, try e-mailing the maintainer
with your questions. For what it is worth, I would be comfortable
signing that package off as free.

Lee

On Thu, 2007-09-27 at 18:37 +0930, Rhys Moyne wrote:
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> Hi,
> 
> I have a question about the final package
> in MAIN/ r. The license states:
> 
> > Permission to use, copy, redistribute is granted.  Permission to
> > redistribute modifications in patch form is granted.  Permission
> > to redistribute binaries made of modified sources is granted.
> > All other rights reserved.
> 
> I'm fairly sure that this can be classified as free software but I want
> to make sure. Specifically, I'm wondering about the modification in
> patch form part.
> 
> Looking at the Free Software Definition, it seems that this license
> gives the user all four freedoms, so I suppose it is free software, but
> I'd just like to make sure.
> 
> Can anyone else help confirm this?
> 
> Thanks,
> Rhys.
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