linux-kernel - Re: [copyleft-next] Re: Kernel modules under new copyleft licence : (was Re: [PATCH v2] module.h: add copyleft-next >= 0.3.1 as GPL compatible)

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Date:   Thu, 18 May 2017 16:29:23 -0700
From:   "Luis R. Rodriguez" <mcgrof@...nel.org>
To:     David Lang <david@...g.hm>
Cc:     "Theodore Ts'o" <tytso@....edu>, Alan Cox <alan@...ux.intel.com>,
        Linus Torvalds <torvalds@...ux-foundation.org>,
        AKASHI Takahiro <takahiro.akashi@...aro.org>,
        Greg KH <gregkh@...uxfoundation.org>,
        Rusty Russell <rusty@...tcorp.com.au>,
        Linux Kernel Mailing List <linux-kernel@...r.kernel.org>,
        Ciaran Farrell <ciaran.farrell@...e.com>,
        Christopher De Nicolo <christopher.denicolo@...e.com>,
        Richard Fontana <fontana@...rpeleven.org>,
        Discussion and development of copyleft-next 
        <copyleft-next@...ts.fedorahosted.org>,
        One Thousand Gnomes <gnomes@...rguk.ukuu.org.uk>,
        Paul Bolle <pebolle@...cali.nl>, Peter Anvin <hpa@...or.com>,
        Joe Perches <joe@...ches.com>
Subject: Re: [copyleft-next] Re: Kernel modules under new copyleft licence :
 (was Re: [PATCH v2] module.h: add copyleft-next >= 0.3.1 as GPL compatible)

On Thu, May 18, 2017 at 4:08 PM, David Lang <david@...g.hm> wrote:
> On Fri, 19 May 2017, Luis R. Rodriguez wrote:
>
>> On Thu, May 18, 2017 at 06:12:05PM -0400, Theodore Ts'o wrote:
>>>
>>> Sorry, I guess I wasn't clear enough.  So there are two major cases,
>>> with three sub-cases for each.
>>>
>>> 1)  The driver is dual-licensed GPLv2 and copyleft-next
>>>
>>>    1A) The developer only wants to use the driver, without making
>>>        any changes to it.
>>>
>>>    1B) The developer wants to make changes to the driver, and
>>>        distribute source and binaries
>>>
>>>    1C) The developer wants to make changes to the driver, and
>>>        contribute the changes back to upstream.
>>>
>>> 2)  The driver is solely licensed under copyleft-next
>>>
>>>    2A) The developer only wants to use the driver, without making
>>>        any changes to it.
>>>
>>>    2B) The developer wants to make changes to the driver, and
>>>        distribute source and binaries
>>>
>>>    2C) The developer wants to make changes to the driver, and
>>>        contribute the changes back to upstream.
>>>
>>> In cases 1A and 1B, I claim that no additional lawyer ink is required,
>>
>>
>> I really cannot see how you might have an attorney who wants ink on 2A but
>> not 1A.
>> I really cannot see how you might have an attorney who wants ink on 2B but
>> not 1B.
>
>
> If something is under multiple licences, and one is a license that is known,
> you can just use that license and not worry (or even think) about what other
> licenses are available.
>
> But if it's a new license, then it needs to be analyzed, and that takes
> lawyer ink.
>
> That's why 1A and 1B are ok, you can ignore copyleft-next and just use GPLv2

The article I had referred to indicates how there are actually
*several* "or" clauses, and ambiguity between what they might mean.
Hence my surprise attorneys would exist who choose to green light all
code with a magical "or clause".

 Luis