أحمد المحمودي <[email protected]> writes: > Hello, > > Debian contains some packages licensed under Waqf Public License in > non-free section. Most of the packages are switching to WPL-2 which I > think is DFSG compliant, so I am seeking your advice.
To clarify, othman is one such package. The previous discussion on the Waqf Public license happened on debian-devel https://lists.debian.org/debian-devel/2010/07/msg00013.html There was some talk about all of the religious elements to the license. I would have preferred it if WPL-2 had clearly separated the religious preamble from the terms and conditions, but we get what we get. There is also the problem that the authoritative text is in Arabic. CeCILL-2, for example, considers both the French and English versions as authentic. I do not know whether the ftpmasters will be comfortable with this translation or not. In any event, I think the main problem with WPL-1 was that it included restrictions on use. Essentially, it was a "do good, not evil" kind of license. This one looks better in that regard. The important section > Second - Usage : > > The user is entitled to use the work for any purpose and the holder > advises not to use the work in harming others or in violation of the > permissive principles of Islam 5), and the holder is not responsible > for the user's violations of Islamic law or abuse of others in the use > of work. merely exhorts people to use it for good, but does not require it. However, this part > > Third - Coverage: > > Waqf license can cover the published works with other licenses that do > not conflict with it. Also Waqf can cover the parts that complement > the work of other licenses, or the works that have been exonerated by > domestic laws because of the expiry of their period. Waqf does not > cover works which are harmful or most likely to be harmful. is more troublesome. If I use this software for weapons, it sounds like I can not distribute modified versions? Cheers, Walter Landry
