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  • licensing questions

    From [via djgpp@delorie.com]" @21:1/5 to All on Fri Jun 28 23:28:21 2024
    Hi guys!

    I am currently reviewing the license
    of the dj64dev suite, and have a concerns
    about the library code sources.
    copying.dj states that the library-related
    code is distributed under
    "GNU Library General
      Public License, rather than the GNU GPL."

    But the whole dj64dev suite is distributed
    (by me) under GPLv3+. And the bigger
    problem is that I ported the large chunks
    of other GPLv3+ code into the library, so
    now I need to clean up the mess.

    I am trying to apply this "upgrade" procedure: https://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-faq.en.html#v3HowToUpgrade
    It says, among other things, that I need
    to replace v2 with v3 in all sources, and
    here is the problem: djgpp sources do not
    list v2 or v3. They instead refer to copying.dj,
    which explicitly forbids to modify these headings.
    Also copying.dj doesn't state what version
    of LGPL is that: is it v2+, or plain v2?
    If it is plain v2, then the "upgrade procedure"
    can't be applied. If it is v2+, then it is still
    unclear how to apply the "upgrade" because
    copying.dj explicitly forbids to modify itself. :)

    So my questions are:
    - What exactly version of LGPL does copying.dj mean?
    - Can I upgrade it to LGPLv3+, and if so - how exactly,
      given that any modifications of the license info are forbidden?

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  • From [via djgpp@delorie.com]" @21:1/5 to All on Fri Jun 28 16:40:15 2024
    "stsp (stsp2@yandex.ru) [via djgpp@delorie.com]" <djgpp@delorie.com>
    writes:
    I am trying to apply this "upgrade" procedure:

    The DJGPP sources are not yours; changing the license in any way is not
    an option for you. If you combined DJGPP sources with some other
    sources that have a different license, you are limited to distributing
    the combination under terms that comply with both licenses.

    I'm not opposed to clarifying copying.dj to have the usual "or any later version" text, though. Note that such a change would still not give you
    the right to change the license, just more flexibility in complying with
    it.

    It says, among other things, that I need to replace v2 with v3 in all sources, and here is the problem: djgpp sources do not list v2 or
    v3. They instead refer to copying.dj, which explicitly forbids to
    modify these headings. Also copying.dj doesn't state what version of
    LGPL is that: is it v2+, or plain v2?

    Assume the version that is in COPYING and COPYING.LIB, included with
    djgpp. Versioning wasn't really an issue back then ;-)

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  • From [via djgpp@delorie.com]" @21:1/5 to [via djgpp@delorie.com]" on Sat Jun 29 00:01:51 2024
    28.06.2024 23:40, DJ Delorie (dj@delorie.com) [via djgpp@delorie.com] wrote:
    "stsp (stsp2@yandex.ru) [via djgpp@delorie.com]" <djgpp@delorie.com>
    writes:
    I am trying to apply this "upgrade" procedure:
    The DJGPP sources are not yours; changing the license in any way is not
    an option for you. If you combined DJGPP sources with some other
    sources that have a different license, you are limited to distributing
    the combination under terms that comply with both licenses.

    I'm not opposed to clarifying copying.dj to have the usual "or any later version" text, though.

    Could you please actually do that?
    You may also want to clarify what GPL
    version does it mean, as there is a similar
    problem. But I am not interested in GPL
    sources, as I removed them all (all but
    makemake.c). So I only need to find out
    what to do with LGPL ones.

    It says, among other things, that I need to replace v2 with v3 in all
    sources, and here is the problem: djgpp sources do not list v2 or
    v3. They instead refer to copying.dj, which explicitly forbids to
    modify these headings. Also copying.dj doesn't state what version of
    LGPL is that: is it v2+, or plain v2?
    Assume the version that is in COPYING and COPYING.LIB, included with
    djgpp. Versioning wasn't really an issue back then ;-)

    This is very vague.
    These files refer to v2, but they say
    "or any later version" internally.
    So if it is feasible, it would be best if
    you actually update copying.dj, and
    I'll start from there.
    Everything else puts me in an uncertain
    position: you mentioned "or any later version"
    in this e-mail, but it is not written anywhere
    else, but in your e-mail, so I probably can't
    rely on that until you actually add a clarification.

    Or, otherwise, could you please explicitly
    state that "or any later version" applies?
    I will then add your next e-mail to the source
    tree for the reference.

    Thank you!

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  • From [via djgpp@delorie.com]" @21:1/5 to [via djgpp@delorie.com]" on Sat Jun 29 11:14:26 2024
    28.06.2024 23:40, DJ Delorie (dj@delorie.com) [via djgpp@delorie.com] wrote:
    I'm not opposed to clarifying copying.dj to have the usual "or any later version" text, though.

    OK, I actually have also found this
    wording in LGPL:
    https://www.gnu.org/licenses/lgpl-3.0.ru.html
    ```

    If the Library as you received it does not specify a version number of
    the GNU Lesser General Public License,
    you may choose any version of the GNU Lesser General Public License ever published by the Free Software
    Foundation.

    ```

    Together with your note above, I think
    it is sufficient for me to proceed with
    "or any later version", even before you
    add the clarification (but it would still
    help if you do).


    Note that such a change would still not give you
    the right to change the license, just more flexibility in complying with
    it.
    Understood, thanks.

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