[Drawkit] DrawKit license

[Graham Cox]

The CC 2.5 license is probably the wrong choice for this. I realised  
that after I went with it but haven't so far changed the headers to  
something different.

The intention isn't to have a "viral" type license like the GPL (I  
didn't think CC 2.5 was like that, but anyway, it's not really ideal  
for software). The fundamental intention, ultimately, is this:

• Credit to the author (i.e. me) if you use my code in whole or in  
part**
• Changes/fixes directly made to DrawKit itself contributed back
• No liability on my part if you use DrawKit and something goes wrong  
or it doesn't live up to your expectations (i.e. no warranty).

And the license should permit:

• Commercial use (though I reserve the right to offer DrawKit under  
alternative non-free licenses for commercial use on request).
• No obligation on you to release any code that makes use of DrawKit  
into the public domain.

And specifically DrawKit's license does not cover:

• Use of linked third party code such as GPC and potrace, which must  
be licensed separately.

If the LGPL covers all of these, then I expect we can change to use  
the LGPL.
I would appreciate any input on this, because licensing isn't  
something I've really thought much about to any great depth.

**the credit given should be in your "about box" credits if you have  
them, and in your product's documentation. Exact wording to be  
determined.

cheers, Graham



On 13 May 2008, at 4:21 am, Brad Larson wrote:

> In examining the license for DrawKit, I see that it is using the  
> Creative Commons 2.5 Share Alike - Attribution license.  It is my  
> understanding that this operates in a GPL-like manner, where  
> derivative works, including applications that link to the library or  
> framework, must have their source released under the same licensing  
> terms.  This presents a problem for us, as we would like to use the  
> DrawKit view classes in a preview window for our main control  
> software for one of our pieces of equipment, but cannot afford to  
> open-source the entire control program.
>
> I know that I might stir up a flame war, but would an LGPL license  
> for the DrawKit framework be possible?  That might help with  
> adoption, especially with some of the indie software folks who may  
> wish to incorporate the framework in applications for sale.  The  
> framework and direct modifications would remain open-source, but the  
> specific apps need not be.
>
> Sorry for the multiple posts, I thought that this deserved its own  
> topic.
>
> ______________________
> Brad Larson
> SonoPlot, Inc.
> 3030 Laura Lane, Suite 120
> Middleton, WI 53562
>
>
>
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