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List:       debian-devel
Subject:    Re: Missing license info in source files - fixed in upstream svn
From:       Ben Finney <bignose+hates-spam () benfinney ! id ! au>
Date:       2007-07-04 0:07:05
Message-ID: 871wfpowuu.fsf () benfinney ! id ! au
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"Paul Cager" <paul-debian@home.paulcager.org> writes:

> On Tue, July 3, 2007 8:38 am, Andreas Barth wrote:
> > Explain it in debian/copyright, that's the proper place (the
> > source files don't actually need license statement, even though of
> > course it helps transparence and is therefore encouraged).
>
> I didn't realise that. I had assumed that each source file *had* to
> have a license declaration in it.

A grant of license is ambiguous (and therefore a greater risk for
someone exercising that license) if it's not explicitly clear to a
third party which work the license applies to.

Since the easiest way to be explicit about a grant of license on a
text file is to place a license grant prominently inside the text
file, that's what is recommended for program source code.

> So if the source files do not have license declarations, we are
> still OK if there is a "COPYING" (or similar) file in the tarball?

No, there needs to be an explicit grant of license explaining what
terms apply, and exactly which files comprise the work being licensed.

-- 
 \         "Pinky, are you pondering what I'm pondering?" "I think so, |
  `\     Brain, but how will we get a pair of Abe Vigoda's pants?"  -- |
_o__)                                            _Pinky and The Brain_ |
Ben Finney


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