SAINT and lgpl distribution

From: Giorgio Zoia (Giorgio.Zoia@epfl.ch)
Date: Wed Jan 19 2000 - 04:35:19 EST


Dear all,

        I don't like to fill this reflector with this kind
of unrelated discussions, but I received today an e-mail
saying:

----------------------------------------------------------
>The first Project will be based on SAINT. A new slightly improved (some bug
>fixes) version 1.21 of the compiler will be distributed to those willing to
>complete a very short free subscription. Successive releases will of course
>be automatically distributed to SAOG subscribers. Needless to say that
>participation to SAOG is free for any individual, research center or
company.

Is SAINT still distributed under LGPL?, and if so dosn't this kind of
restricted distribution violate the terms of the LGPL?
---------------------------------------------------------------

I report here clause 1 from the lgpl license:

"You may copy and distribute verbatim copies of the Library's complete source
code as you receive it, in any medium, provided that you conspicuously and
appropriately publish on each copy an appropriate copyright notice and disclaimer
of warranty; keep intact all the notices that refer to this License and to the absence
of any warranty; and distribute a copy of this License along with the Library.
You may charge a fee for the physical act of transferring a copy, and you may at
your option offer warranty protection in exchange for a fee. "

Starting from this clause, I see no kind of restricted distribution, since you
can ask for the software at any time and ask to don't receive it anymore at
any time. Secondly, once you have the library you can freely distribute it wherever
you want and as you like it, according to lgpl. You simply have to remove the
three lines from the header saying that the file is distributed under the SAOG
agreement.

The software is at the moment distributed by e-mail after subscription. Should the
number of subscribers increase rapidly I will start an ftp site for continuous
distribution. I don't see the usefulness for that if only 3 or 4 parties are interested...

To conclude, I don't think that having a free distribution with a procedure a little
bit  more complicated than the usual mouse click means having a "restriction".
Otherwise, what is distributing a CD for 10 dollars as some do ?

Best regards,

        Giorgio

ps: if you have comments on that, please send them to me directly, unless
you think that it is useful for everybody.

__________________________________________________________________
Giorgio ZOIA

Integrated Systems Laboratory - DE/LSI - EPFL
CH-1015 Lausanne - SWITZERLAND

Phone: + 41 21 693 69 79      E-mail: Giorgio.Zoia@epfl.ch
Fax: +41 21 693 46 63
__________________________________________________________________



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