[OSGeo-Discuss] Liability Issues ForCompaniesSupportingOpenSource Development

[Landon Blake]

Thanks Bob. That is an interesting point that you make about being
liable for code that doesn't end up back in the larger community pool.

Landon
Office Phone Number: (209) 946-0268
Cell Phone Number: (209) 992-0658
 
 

-----Original Message-----
From: discuss-bounces at lists.osgeo.org
[mailto:discuss-bounces at lists.osgeo.org] On Behalf Of Bob Basques
Sent: Thursday, April 02, 2009 11:05 AM
To: discuss at lists.osgeo.org
Subject: RE: [OSGeo-Discuss] Liability Issues
ForCompaniesSupportingOpenSource Development

Landon, 

Then it sounds like you are setting yourself up as the middle tier
project lead, doling out the monies to the developers and getting back
the capabilities you desire.  I don't see the liability piece really
getting in the way since Franks' explanation would put the Liability
issue towards the disclaimer from the project itself, not your or your
clients.

One thing though, you do want to follow through and make sure your
additions get passed back to the OpenSource project (officially) so you
are clear of any liability/ownership stuff.  Sometime this is hard to
keep after , especially after you get what you wanted capability wise.
I like using the notion that "we're liable if it doesn't get back into
the developer/opensource project hands.  Sort of using the system so to
speak.

bobb



>>> "Landon Blake" <lblake at ksninc.com> 04/02/09 1:59 PM >>>
Bob,

I'd be issuing and RFP for the work, and we would be working with
another company. I hadn't thought about it, but that might alleviate
some of the concern.

Landon
Office Phone Number: (209) 946-0268
Cell Phone Number: (209) 992-0658
 
 

-----Original Message-----
From: discuss-bounces at lists.osgeo.org
[mailto:discuss-bounces at lists.osgeo.org] On Behalf Of Bob Basques
Sent: Thursday, April 02, 2009 10:56 AM
To: discuss at lists.osgeo.org
Subject: Re: [OSGeo-Discuss] Liability Issues For Companies
SupportingOpenSource Development

Landon,

We've wrestled with similar issues, and took the stance that we either
contract with the open-source project itself, one of it's developers or
just plain old donate funds on a handshake agreement.  I have to admit
the handshake stuff is only for small quick turnaround types of things.

A biggy piece though, is for the OpenSource group to have some sort of
Corporate rep that can handle the administration of larger/longer term
projects.

I'm involved in a non-profit (SharedGeo) related to this type of work.
It seems there is a need for this knowledgeable middle level admin
component for largish projects related to OpenSource.

bobb



>>> "Landon Blake" <lblake at ksninc.com> 04/02/09 1:46 PM >>>
I'm curious about the type if liability issues a company might open
itself up to by supporting open source software development. Let me give
you a scenario:

 

A graphic design company decides it will sponsor some development of the
SVG editor Inkscape. It puts out an RFP for the functionality it would
like added to the program. It sets up a source code repository for these
changes, hires a company/individual developer to perform the work, and
works with the community to integrate the improvements back into the
main development trunk.

 

What legal liability might this introduce the company to?

 

Is there an article or paper that discusses this question? I'm working
on small business support for an open source project, and I know one of
the first objections I will run into is "we don't want to be liable for
any programming effort we support financially".

 

Any suggestions?

 

Landon

 

 



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