Re: gnujaxp build system (was: Re: [Classpathx-discuss] Fw: [Classpathx-xml] What is the status of gnujaxp?)

[Dalibor Topic]

--- Brian Jones <address@hidden> wrote:
> Dalibor Topic <address@hidden> writes:
> 
> > --- Arnaud Vandyck <address@hidden> wrote:
> > > Nic Ferrier <address@hidden> wrote:
> > > > Dalibor Topic <address@hidden> writes:
> > > > > --- Arnaud Vandyck <address@hidden> wrote:
> > > > > > Why don't you base the build system on jakarta-ant? Apache
> > > > > > License is also free software, isn't it?
> > > > > 
> > > > > Kind of, but GPL incompatible according to the FSF.
> > > 
> > > So apache httpd (Apache License) should also be in contrib? But it's
> > > not.
> > 
> > I'm sorry, I wasn't very clear. 
> > 
> > Apache, and other ASF licensed software is free software, just like GPL-ed
> > software. But unfortunately, the two licenses are incompatible according to
> the
> > FSF, so a GPL'd project can't use code from a ASF licensed one.
> 
> I've been told that if there is enough interest Apache might fix their
> license so that it is GPL compatible.  From the perspective of reusing
> or rather not reimplmenting things available via Jakarta... I'd think
> this is a good thing for free software on both sides of the fence.


Looking at the text at
http://www.gnu.org/licenses/license-list.html#GPLIncompatibleLicenses

"The Apache License, Version 1.1.
    This is a permissive non-copyleft free software license with a few
requirements that render it incompatible with the GNU GPL.

    We urge you not to use the Apache licenses for software you write. However,
there is no reason to avoid running programs that have been released under this
license, such as Apache."

and at http://www.apache.org/foundation/licence-FAQ.html#GPL

" Is the Apache licence compatible with the GPL (GNU Public Licence)?

    It is the unofficial position of The Apache Software Foundation that the
Apache licence is compatible with the GPL. However, the Free Software
Foundation holds a different position, although we have not been able to get
them to give us categorical answers to our queries asking for details on just
what aspects they consider incompatible.

    Whether to mix software covered under these two different licences must be
a determination made by those attempting such a synthesis."

I think a lot of licensing flames could be saved if FSF clearly specified what
annoys it so much about the Apache license. I think it's the trademark
protection clause in the ASF, but I've never seen that 'officially' confirmed
outside of mailing list rumours. It would be very helpful if someone could
update that gnu.org page with a description of what exactly makes the ASF
license GPL incompatible.

cheers, 
dalibor topic

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