[GRASS-dev] Copyright and license issue

[Glynn Clements]

Jarek Jasiewicz wrote:

> I have a question about putting into add-on repository the code 
> containing completly new terrain analysis system.
> 
> Code will be on classic GPL license, however I would like to TEMPORARILY 
> restrict the name of module, scientific idea (completely new) and 
> permission to code modification. It means that everybody can use, 
> analyze, rewrite it for own purpose etc, however if someone would like 
> to modify original source code in repository should have our permission 
> (for some time).
> 
> This is because the code and entire idea is strongly under development, 
> however we were asked to publish it for geomorphological community (also 
> for submitted paper)
> 
> I think that it probably will never happen that someone would like to 
> modify it (except of course bugs), however I would like to keep control 
> on code integrity for scientific discussion as long as it won't be 
> finished as an idea.

The whole point of a revision-control repository is to facilitate
making modifications to the code.

Whoever controls the GRASS repository can control who can commit to a
specific directory, but this is involves more work than implementing
repository-wide controls.

In terms of licensing, the GPL grants each recipient permission to
make modifications and to distribute modified versions, provided that
they indicate that the code has been modified.

As the GRASS libraries use the GPL (not LGPL), any module which uses
them must also be licensed under the GPL if it is to be redistributed
in binary form.

-- 
Glynn Clements <glynn at gclements.plus.com>