[MAPSERVER-DEV] Standardized source header

[Pericles S. Nacionales]

Frank Warmerdam wrote:
> Pericles S. Nacionales wrote:
>> What about just applying for approval or clarification from OSI.  
>> It's clear that the MapServer license can be considered as redundant 
>> with the MIT license...  It might be that all that is needed is OSI 
>> recognizing this as the case and that by virtue of being redundant is 
>> also approved but classified as MIT-type license.
>>
>> Here's a link to OSI's license review process: 
>> http://www.opensource.org/approval
>>
>> The relevant section for MapServer is "Legacy Approval":
>>
>>
>>      For Legacy Approval
>>
>>
>>        By: License Steward or Interested Licensee
>>
>> Retroactive approval of historic/legacy licenses that have already 
>> been extensively used by an existing community, but have not 
>> previously been approved.
>>
>>    * Recommend which license proliferation category
>>      <https://osi.osuosl.org/wiki/help/proliferation> is appropriate
>>    * Requires less justification than Approval of a new license
>
> Perry,
>
> My understanding is that OSI doesn't really like approving additional 
> licenses
> and given their lassitude I am doubtful if they would get around to an
> analysis and statement on ours.
>
> If we could get the university to agree to the more standard text then
> I think we would not run into problems from other committers and then we
> could change it.  What are the chances of the university agreeing now?
>
> Another possibility is for us to refer the issue to Heather Meeker to
> comment on whether the different text has significant legal implications.
> If she says not, then I we could proceed on the basis that this is not
> meaningfully different from the OSI approved MIT license and just
> document the issue.
>
> The key seems to be whether "worked derived from" is additionally
> restrictive in any meaningful way.
>
> Best regards,
Frank,

Agreed. I guess the real issue is whether the MapServer license can be 
classified as an MIT-type license, as described in the "Licenses that 
are redundant with more popular licenses" section of OSI License 
Proliferation report.  This really just need to be clarified by the OSI 
legal people.

As for changing the wording in the MapServer license, I guess that's up 
for Steve and Tom to ask the legal people at the UMN.  I can see how the 
two phrases could be such a big issue for lawyers... :)  Thank god I'm 
not one.

-Perry