Re: GPL'ed code in svn/trunk/contrib

"Brian W. Fitzpatrick" <fitz@collab.net> writes:
> It appears that we've got a few scripts licensed under the GPL in
> contrib/client-side, most recently, the svn-clean script. I thought
> our rules were that if it's in the repository, it's under the same
> license as Subversion (with the book being a notable exception). Is
> contrib/ an exception as well?

My understanding has always been that yes, contrib/ is an exception.

The GPL, or any DFSG-compliant license, is fine for stuff in contrib/,
and CollabNet need not be the copyright holder. That stuff is
distributed with Subversion for convenience; both its name and its
nature make it reasonably clear that it is "with" Subversion but not
"part of" Subversion, I think.

Here for reference is the famous "mere aggregation" clause of the GPL:

   In addition, mere aggregation of another work not based on the
   Program with the Program (or with a work based on the Program) on a
   volume of a storage or distribution medium does not bring the other
   work under the scope of this License.

(Remember that "the Program" refers to the work in contrib/, not to
Subversion.)

-Karl

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Received on Fri Feb 18 06:04:44 2005