OT: AFPL (was RE: Printing)

[Bill Campbell]

On Fri, Apr 27, 2007, Kenneth Brody wrote:
>Quoting Wally Turnbull (Fri, 27 Apr 2007 14:57:12 -0400):
>
>> Walter Vaughan asked
>> > GNU GPL is the license. What is the actual name of the open source
>> > project that you used to make the pcl-to-pdf conversion?
>>
>> I had to check with the programmer who did the work to get more details.
>> I though the code was covered by the GNU GPL but it turns out that it
>> was not directly based on a GNU project.  It was based on Artifex
>> Software's GhostPCL (an offshoot of ghostscript) which is covered by
>> the Aladdin Free Public License similar but not identical to GPL.
>>
>> The problem with distribution as it has been explained to me is that the
>> AFPL requires a changed program to include the name and email address of
>> the person who made the changes.  Our programmer felt that he could not
>> provide support to those who might receive distributed copies so we are
>> constrained.
>[...]
>
>While I can't speak of the specifics on GhostPCL, here is a quote from
>AFPL version 8, section 2(c)(i), which talks about modifying the program:
>
>    If you have modified the Program, you must cause the Work to carry
>    prominent notices stating that you have modified the Program's files
>    and the date of any change. In each source file that you have
>    modified, you must include a prominent notice that you have modified
>    the file, including your name, your e-mail address (if any), and the
>    date and purpose of the change;
>
>It appears to me (IANAL) is that the purpose of this is to make it clear
>that you are distributing a copy which was modified from the original,
>and that such changes were not made by the original author(s).  I see
>nothing about the requirement of an e-mail address, and certainly
>nothing requiring you support the modified version.

It also appears to me to be sane programming practice as it
should make it obvious what was changed and why (comments, we
don't need any steenking comments :-).  I've been doing this for
years, if only so I know what I changed when merging my changes
into newer releases of the base product.

Bill
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