Re: [Savannah-help-public] Question about new non-GNU project

[Michael J. Flickinger]

On 12/17/2011 06:26 PM, Paulo Henrique Torrens wrote:
> I am currently working on a big project which I would like to host on
> Savannah as a non-GNU software, which is composed of several tools and
> libraries (it's actually a toolchain), of which many parts are LGPLed,
> but the core is under it's own license - which is almost equal to LGPL,
> but it does not allow forks (no distribution of modified versions of the
> software as of another project, although it is ok to use and distribute
> modified versions of the code and uses of it along with other software
> projects, even if statically linked... just not to make a derivative
> project from it).
>
>
> Is there any chances it gets approved?
>
> Thanks.

Restricting distribution of modified software, as far as I can tell, 
makes the software not "free."  Since the ability of the end-user to 
modify, enhance, and redistribute the software is a very important freedom.

In fact, since the GPL allows for modified redistribution and your 
proposed license does not, it sounds like you may have a GPL 
compatibility issue on your hands.

May I ask why you are concerned about forks of the project?  In general, 
project's are not forked so somebody can "steal your code."  They're 
forked generally when a project ceases developer, or there's a real 
issue with project leadership.  That's why the freedom to fork 
(redistribute modified version of your software as another project) is 
such an important freedom.

Best,

Michael J. Flickinger