Re: Ada in Debian: most libraries will switch to the pure GPL in Etch


"Ludovic Brenta" <ludovic@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> writes:

Dr. Adrian Wrigley wrote :
On Tue, 27 Jun 2006 03:58:40 -0700, Ludovic Brenta wrote:

I received detailed answers from AdaCore's Robert Dewar and Arnaud
Charlet regarding the licenses of software downloaded from their
servers. In summary:

- All software downloaded from AdaCore is pure GPL, no matter what the
headers say.

- This also applies to software downloaded from the CVS server in
source-only form.

- They refuse to give any assurances regarding copyright ownership, so
I feel that I now need to go ask the authors.

- They will not sign a license document, even if a lawyer asked them
(they are not required to sign anything, of course).

I'm a little confused by all this...

Can you tell us which combination of the following is true, from
what you understand:

1) the GMGPL licences issued by AdaCode and others are being revoked?

Switched to pure GPL, not revoked. The "linking and generic
instantiation" exception is revoked.

2) AdaCore and others say they never granted licences under GMGPL?

They don't say that, but they refuse to give details on when the switch
took place. I don't know. Ask them. From a theoretical standpoint, I am
indeed quite worried that I have downloaded and redistributed AdaCore's

Considering that act-europe.fr carried the GMGPL license notice for
GtkAda et al until 2005/2 at least, there is nothing to worry about
(except the attitude of ACT).

software, thinking in good faith I had the right to do so when in
fact I didn't, since I didn't have written permission from any of
the copyright holders. Remember, the headers amount to naught from a
legal perspective.

They say.

Practically speaking, I don't think AdaCore will sue me,
or anyone else, for that. IANAL.

IANAL2.


3) the licences were granted and are still in force?

I don't know. I asked but they wouldn't go into specifics. Ask them for
yourself, if you're concerned.

4) all licencing terms embedded in the distributions are repudiated?

They never had any legal force; only a signed statement from the
copyright holder has legal force.

They say.


5) the SW is Free (in http://www.gnu.org/philosophy/free-sw.html terms)?

Yes, since it is under GPL. That much they are willing to say and
certify, but not in writing :(

So they will take even that back in 2 years from now? ...

Regards -- Markus

.

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