[OpenLayers-Dev] XMLHttpRequest.js license

[Paul Spencer]

Bart,

based on my experience in other projects, it should be sufficient to include this in a comment at the top of XMLHttpRequest.js with a brief explanation of the issue and then we should be good to go.

For the record, I am wondering why it is a problem to include LGPL code in OpenLayers if it is used as a Library (unmodified)?  Roald's remark just seems to be that we *might* have a GPL infringement, that doesn't seem terribly convincing to me that there is a problem that we should be concerned about by including LGPL code.  Can anyone elaborate on whether this is actually a problem, what the problem is, or if there is not, in actual fact, a problem with including LGPL code.

Cheers

Paul


On 2010-04-21, at 5:11 AM, bartvde at osgis.nl wrote:

> Hi devs,
> 
> since XMLHttpRequest.js had changed its license from Apache license to
> LGPL (see also http://trac.openlayers.org/ticket/2065), we have problems
> with rolling in new versions of the library (see also Roald's remark about
> GPL infringement in that particular ticket).
> 
> Since the author is based in The Netherlands, I decided to contact him to
> ask if we would consider relicensing to the previous Apache license, and
> he agreed to this (see below).
> 
> Does this mean we will be able to upgrade XMLHttpRequest in the future, or
> do we need more from him?
> 
> Best regards,
> Bart
> 
> ------------------------- Oorspronkelijk bericht -------------------------
> Onderwerp: Re: XMLHttpRequest.js license
> Van:       "Sergey Ilinsky" <sergey at ilinsky.com>
> Datum:     Wo, 21 april, 2010 10:45 am
> Aan:       bartvde at osgis.nl
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------
> 
> Bart,
> 
> I authorize OpenLayers to get the latest version of XMLHttpRequest.js
> library and use it under Apache license (Just replace the license note in
> the file). Is the written confirmation sufficient?
> 
> Yes, I am based in the Netherlands, living in Amsterdam. Have worked for
> Backbase for 3 years, now working at Nedstat. In my free time I am busy with
> Ample SDK <http://www.amplesdk.com/>, new JavaScript GUI Framework (also
> open source) which among other features such as support for XUL also bring
> SVG to all browsers and more.
> 
> Do you arrange some meet-ups with people working on OpenLayers or other
> client-side developers in Amsterdam? I would be interested in
> getting acquainted with you and others.
> 
> Sergey/
> 
> 
> 
> On 21 April 2010 07:29, <bartvde at osgis.nl> wrote:
> 
>> Hi Sergey,
>> 
>> the OpenLayers project (http://www.openlayers.org) uses your
>> XMLHttpRequest.js library, but now has trouble upgrading because of your
>> license change from Apache license to LGPL.
>> 
>> Would you consider relicensing your library under Apache for the
>> OpenLayers project?
>> 
>> TIA.
>> 
>> Btw, I see you are also based in The Netherlands?
>> 
>> Best regards,
>> Bart
>> 
>> 
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__________________________________________

   Paul Spencer
   Chief Technology Officer
   DM Solutions Group Inc
   http://research.dmsolutions.ca/