[Fsf-friends] SMALL GRANTS: Need resources to write Free Software?

[Frederick Noronha]

That's right. You have a point there, Mahesh. I'll pass it on to Sarai,
who have so far been very flexible and understanding on this issue. The
goal is to get more GPLd programmes that can add to the Free Software
domain for the good of everybody. 

Which license would FSF members be satisfied with? Which version would you
see as best? Your suggestions are more than welcome.... The intention
would be to keep the software as Free as possible.  FN

On Wed, 9 Oct 2002, Mahesh T Pai wrote:


> Well, "public domain" is the anti-thesis of GPL.  It is certainly not
> "free" as the term is used in the GPL.  The appropriate translation in
> most languages for "free" as used in the GPL is "swatantra".  As we
> all know, "swatantrata" does not come "sowjanya".
> 
> I feel that the people making the grants have to decide (they have
> the right to dictate) and, preferably, insist, that the s/w should be
> released under the GPL.  Otherwise, the grants are likely to be
> appropriated towards non-free uses later on.
> 
> Please clarify.
> 
> Frederick Noronha wrote:
> 
>   > Sarai/CSDS, a Delhi-based research network that realises the
> potential of
>   > Free/Open Source software, is offering a limited number of small
> grants (in
>   > three categories of under Rs 10,000; Rs 10-30,000; and Rs
> 30,000-60,000) for
>   > those willing to write socially-useful programmes and put these out
> in the
>   > public domain.
>   >
>   > Ownership of these programs will remain with its writer(s), under the
>   > GNU/GLP or similar suitable licence. But the coders will undertake
> to widely
>   > distribute and make available their work to those who desire to 
> use the
>   > same, in the interest of promoting Free Software/Open Source in India.
> 
> 
> If the intention is ensuring public benefit in the long term, it has
> to be the GPL. OSD compliance, and OSI certified licenses are, well,
> compromises.  Guess that I can say that with some authority, for I
> have been watching the Free Vs. OSD debate for some time now.  Whether
> it is the GPL or mere OSD compliance or both, make it clear in the
> terms of grant, otherwise, there would be problems in the future.
> 
> Regards,
> Mahesh T Pai.null
> 
> nullnull
> 
>