Re: [HACKERS] PostgreSQL & the BSD License

From: The Hermit Hacker <scrappy(at)hub(dot)org>
To: Peter Eisentraut <peter_e(at)gmx(dot)net>
Cc: PostgreSQL Development <pgsql-hackers(at)postgresql(dot)org>, pgsql-general(at)postgresql(dot)org
Subject: Re: [HACKERS] PostgreSQL & the BSD License
Date: 2000-07-06 21:44:13
Message-ID: Pine.BSF.4.21.0007061842000.975-100000@thelab.hub.org
Views: Raw Message | Whole Thread | Download mbox | Resend email
Thread:
Lists: pgsql-general pgsql-hackers


as mentioned by another person, it appears that the problem isn't with the
copyright, the problem is us :( BSD *has* already done all the revisons
to the copyright, we've just never upgraded ours to match theirs ... I
posted, in another thread, a proposed updated COPYRIGHT file based off of
http://www.opensource.org/licenses/bsd-license.html ...

On Thu, 6 Jul 2000, Peter Eisentraut wrote:

> The Hermit Hacker writes:
>
> > I've read, and re-read, this license since the first time I saw it ... I
> > like the extension of the 'liability/warranty' sections to encompass "all
> > developers" vs it just encompassing "University of Berkeley", and am
> > shocked that we never thought of this before,
>
> That's not true. I recall several separate occasions this was brought up
> in the past. But anyway...
>
> I support the spirit of your suggestion, but just a couple of ideas:
>
> 1) The copyright notice from the current developers should come first. It
> should read something like:
>
> "PostgreSQL ... Copyright 2000 whoever
>
> Contains code from Postgres95, which is subject to the following
> conditions:
>
> Copyright 1996 UCB ..."
>
> 2) "various contributors (as identified in HISTORY)" -- Don't do that.
> What if someone forks the project and renames HISTORY to
> PASTPRESENTANDFUTURE? Use something like "all contributors". Also note
> that the HISTORY file doesn't actually identify the contributors
> sufficiently.
>
> 3) Use the same disclaimer that the UCB used, unless you have a good
> reason to change the wording.
>
> 4) "BY USING THIS SOFTWARE YOU AGREE TO THESE TERMS AND CONDITIONS. IF
> YOU DO NOT AGREE TO THESE TERMS AND CONDITIONS, YOU SHOULD NOT USE THIS
> SOFTWARE." -- This is not enforceable. If you want to get at this point
> (for which I see no reason), use something like GPL section 5.
>
> 5) There also should be a mention that some parts of the distribution may
> be subject to other conditions, which are identified near that "part".
>
>
>
> > ===========================================================================
> >
> >
> > PostgreSQL Data Base Management System (formerly known as Postgres95)
> >
> > This directory contains the _______ release of PostgreSQL, as well as
> > various post-release patches in the patches directory. See INSTALL for
> > the installation notes and HISTORY for the changes.
> >
> > We also have a WWW home page located at: http://www.postgreSQL.org
> >
> > -------------------------
> >
> > PostgreSQL is not public domain software. It is copyrighted by the
> > University of California but may be used according to the following
> > licensing terms:
> >
> > POSTGRES95 Data Base Management System (formerly known as Postgres, then
> > as Postgres95).
> >
> > Copyright (c) 1994-6 Regents of the University of California
> >
> > Permission to use, copy, modify, and distribute this software and its
> > documentation for any purpose, without fee, and without a written
> > agreement is hereby granted, provided that the above copyright notice and
> > this paragraph and the following two paragraphs appear in all copies.
> >
> > IN NO EVENT SHALL THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA BE LIABLE TO ANY PARTY FOR
> > DIRECT, INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, INCLUDING
> > LOST PROFITS, ARISING OUT OF THE USE OF THIS SOFTWARE AND ITS
> > DOCUMENTATION, EVEN IF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA HAS BEEN ADVISED OF
> > THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.
> >
> > THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA SPECIFICALLY DISCLAIMS ANY WARRANTIES,
> > INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY
> > AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. THE SOFTWARE PROVIDED HEREUNDER IS
> > ON AN "AS IS" BASIS, AND THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA HAS NO OBLIGATIONS
> > TO PROVIDE MAINTENANCE, SUPPORT, UPDATES, ENHANCEMENTS, OR MODIFICATIONS.
> >
> > -------------------------
> >
> > Copyright ( 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000 by various contributors (as
> > identified in HISTORY) (collectively "Developers") which may be used
> > according to the following licensing terms:
> >
> > Worldwide permission to use, copy, modify, and distribute this software
> > and its documentation for any purpose, without fee, and without a written
> > agreement is hereby granted, on a non-exclusive basis, provided that the
> > above copyright notice, this paragraph and the following paragraphs appear
> > in all copies:
> >
> > IN NO EVENT SHALL ANY DEVELOPER BE LIABLE TO ANY PARTY FOR DIRECT,
> > INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, INCLUDING,
> > WITHOUT LIMITATION, LOST PROFITS, ARISING OUT OF THE USE OF THIS SOFTWARE
> > AND ITS DOCUMENTATION, EVEN IF THE DEVELOPER HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE
> > POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.
> >
> > THE DEVELOPERS SPECIFICALLY DISCLAIM ALL WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED
> > INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY,
> > FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, NEED, OR QUALITY, AND ANY IMPLIED
> > WARRANTY FROM COURSE OF DEALING OR USAGE OF TRADE. IN ADDITION, THERE IS
> > NO IMPLIED WARRANTY AGAINST INTERFERENCE WITH ENJOYMENT OR AGAINST
> > INFRINGEMENT. THE SOFTWARE AND DOCUMENTATION PROVIDED HEREUNDER IS ON AN
> > "AS IS" BASIS. NO DEVELOPER HAS ANY OBLIGATION TO PROVIDE MAINTENANCE,
> > SUPPORT, UPDATES, ENHANCEMENTS OR MODIFICATIONS TO OR FOR THE SOFTWARE OR
> > DOCUMENTATION.
> >
> > BY USING THIS SOFTWARE YOU AGREE TO THESE TERMS AND CONDITIONS. IF YOU DO
> > NOT AGREE TO THESE TERMS AND CONDITIONS, YOU SHOULD NOT USE THIS SOFTWARE.
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
>
> --
> Peter Eisentraut Sernanders vg 10:115
> peter_e(at)gmx(dot)net 75262 Uppsala
> http://yi.org/peter-e/ Sweden
>
>

Marc G. Fournier ICQ#7615664 IRC Nick: Scrappy
Systems Administrator @ hub.org
primary: scrappy(at)hub(dot)org secondary: scrappy(at){freebsd|postgresql}.org

In response to

Responses

Browse pgsql-general by date

  From Date Subject
Next Message Paul Condon 2000-07-06 23:40:42 Re: Outer Join workaround ... ideas
Previous Message Trond Eivind=?iso-8859-1?q?_Glomsr=F8d?= 2000-07-06 21:43:30 Re: ODBC drivers for linux

Browse pgsql-hackers by date

  From Date Subject
Next Message Jan Wieck 2000-07-06 21:51:03 Re: 2nd update on TOAST
Previous Message Tom Lane 2000-07-06 21:43:05 Re: fcntl(F_SETLK)