Hello,
I participate in AbiWord as pt_PT locale maintainer and rpm packager. I have recently understood that there are several issues where I feel that we're not using gpl properly, partly in the same way as the 3dsmax plugins.
Facts: 1. AbiWord is released under the GNU GPL version 2.0 or greater. 2. AbiWord is multiplatform 2.1 on windows it links against MSCVRT.DLL 2.2 on mac os x it links against cocoa dylibs. 3. Abiword links with ImageMagick License: freeware * 4. A gpl plugin that integrates a (this is what worries me the most because here I am sure there is a problem) non free grammar checker (it forbids commercial use without authorization): http://www.link.cs.cmu.edu/link/
worse than that, is the attached irc log (I asked for authorization) with names replaced. I think it's obvious who I am.
How can I best deal with this situation? Suggestions? I wouldn't like to stop contributing with AbiWord, but I am not at all pleased with this. Also, my contributions to AbiWord are rather insignificant when compared with those of some of the talkers...
Thanks in advance, rui
* from rpm -qi ...
On 6 Mar 02, at 21:55, Rui Miguel Silva Seabra wrote:
worse than that, is the attached irc log (I asked for authorization) with names replaced. I think it's obvious who I am.
<Guy1> Guy2: it breaks the first freeGuy2 of free software.
That's the funniest substituting I've ever seen. This is Lachowicz then, yes?
David wrote:
On 6 Mar 02, at 21:55, Rui Miguel Silva Seabra wrote:
worse than that, is the attached irc log (I asked for authorization) with names replaced. I think it's obvious who I am.
<Guy1> Guy2: it breaks the first freeGuy2 of free software.
That's the funniest substituting I've ever seen. This is Lachowicz then, yes?
I think "public Guy2ain" is even funnier. ;-)
Frank
On Wed, 2002-03-06 at 22:31, David wrote:
On 6 Mar 02, at 21:55, Rui Miguel Silva Seabra wrote:
worse than that, is the attached irc log (I asked for authorization) with names replaced. I think it's obvious who I am. <Guy1> Guy2: it breaks the first freeGuy2 of free software.
That's the funniest substituting I've ever seen. This is Lachowicz then, yes?
oops, one substitution that failed? :) I neither confirm or deny any speculations ;)
hugs, rui
On Wed, Mar 06, 2002 at 09:55:44PM +0000, Rui Miguel Silva Seabra wrote:
I participate in AbiWord as pt_PT locale maintainer and rpm packager. I have recently understood that there are several issues where I feel that we're not using gpl properly, partly in the same way as the 3dsmax plugins.
Note that this is a complicated subject. Many missunderstandings are around, and in borderline case, little facts and make a huge difference.
- AbiWord is released under the GNU GPL version 2.0 or greater.
Good. :)
- AbiWord is multiplatform
2.1 on windows it links against MSCVRT.DLL
This should be fine as this can be considered part of the operating system. IIRC what this library does.
http://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-faq.html#WritingFSWithNFLibs | If the libraries that you link with falls within the | following exception in the GPL: | | However, as a special exception, the source code distributed need | not include anything that is normally distributed (in either source | or binary form) with the major components (compiler, kernel, and so | on) of the operating system on which the executable runs, unless | that component itself accompanies the executable. | | then you don't have to do anything special to use them. In other | words, if the libraries you need come with major parts of a | proprietary operating system, the GPL says people can link your | program with them.
2.2 on mac os x it links against cocoa dylibs.
Seems to be the same case.
- Abiword links with ImageMagick License: freeware *
The license I get with the apt-get source imagemagic on my Debian System seems to be of Xfree86. Thus compatible with the GNU GPL. This means that there is no problem, the whole work (abiword) can just be distributed under GPL.
- A gpl plugin that integrates a (this is what worries me the most
because here I am sure there is a problem) non free grammar checker (it forbids commercial use without authorization): http://www.link.cs.cmu.edu/link/
This could be the only problem that I can see. Thus I would agree with the person who thinks that the non-free grammer checker cannot be used.
worse than that, is the attached irc log
I can see persons in a heated chat and quite a lot of missunderstandings about the GNU GPL, Free Software.
Maybe the GNU GPL FAQ or this email can help. http://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-faq.html
I think that calm explainations and pointer to good references will help to clear the confusion.
Sorry for so many typos.
On Wed, Mar 06, 2002 at 11:32:07PM +0100, Bernhard Reiter wrote:
Many missunderstandings are around, and in borderline case, little facts and make a huge difference.
cases
The license I get with the apt-get source imagemagic on my
imagemagick
Debian System seems to be of Xfree86.
XFree86 class.
On Wed, 2002-03-06 at 22:56, Bernhard Reiter wrote:
Sorry for so many typos.
Typos are there so that we have to send mails being sorry for typos!
That's ok :)
I sent the following message to the AbiWord mailing list:
vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv
Hello,
The explanation I was missing that prevented me to express correctly was right there, layed out on the gpl faq (fortunately I was reminded of such item): http://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-faq.html#WritingFSWithNFLibs
So, is MSCVRT.DLL part of windows as dylibs are part of cocoa on mac os x? If so, then it's okay to link with it.
As to the link grammar checker:
* Does the GPL allow me to sell copies of the program for money? Yes, the GPL allows everyone to do this. The right to sell copies is part of the definition of free software. --------------------------- ---------------------------------------
It's not the possibility to do so that I am worried about, but that that restriction of 'link' makes it incompatible to link with AbiWord, or an AbiWord plugin.
Up until recently I had no hope of making a plugin that reads aloud an abiword document using festival. However, they are now using a free software license compatible with the gpl.
Our goal should not be the exclusion of link, but convincing the authors to at the very least make it so we can work with it. Of course what would be the best target would be making it copyleft.
Questions?
Hugs, rui
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
I hope I am not flogged to death for this.
Hugs, rui
On Wed, 2002-03-06 at 22:32, Bernhard Reiter wrote:
- AbiWord is multiplatform
2.1 on windows it links against MSCVRT.DLL
This should be fine as this can be considered part of the operating system. IIRC what this library does.
I haven't the foggiest idea! I've purged all windows software 4 years (or so) ago.
http://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-faq.html#WritingFSWithNFLibs | If the libraries that you link with falls within the | following exception in the GPL:
I thought I had read that, but I didn't remember where. Stupid of me to not even consider, the huge faq :)
- Abiword links with ImageMagick License: freeware *
The license I get with the apt-get source imagemagic on my Debian System seems to be of Xfree86. Thus compatible with the GNU GPL. This means that there is no problem, the whole work (abiword) can just be distributed under GPL.
Yup, downloading the source was not very convinient at the time, so I relied on the poor license description of the package, and thus I was concerned. Fortunately without reason.
- A gpl plugin that integrates a (this is what worries me the most
because here I am sure there is a problem) non free grammar checker (it forbids commercial use without authorization): http://www.link.cs.cmu.edu/link/
This could be the only problem that I can see. Thus I would agree with the person who thinks that the non-free grammer checker cannot be used.
This is truly the problem. The other points where raised on the chat and I wasn't able to verify all of them.
worse than that, is the attached irc log
I can see persons in a heated chat
oh no, it wasn't heated at all. a lot of smileys were missing, but I (at least) wasn't heated and just concerned.
and quite a lot of missunderstandings about the GNU GPL, Free Software.
Maybe the GNU GPL FAQ or this email can help.
Your email was of great help, specially because of having reminded me of the great gpl faq :)
I think that calm explainations and pointer to good references will help to clear the confusion.
Your right. I hope you liked my email (in another message) to the abiword-dev mailing list.
Hugs, rui