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

[Frederick Noronha]

Jeebesh, I think Mahesh has put in a very interesting argument. Since our
goal is not to control the product, but to ensure that it is used as
widely as possible for wider societal good, perhaps there should be no
problem in accepting the same? 
Wonder if our friends at FSF-India have any further suggestions for us? We
would like the intentions of this experiment to be transparent. FN

On Thu, 10 Oct 2002, Mahesh T Pai wrote:


> Frederick Noronha wrote:
> 
>  > Which version would you see as best?
> 
> Using older _versions_ of a license can create problems.  New versions
> are created to plug loop holes, or to avoid problems which were not
> foreseen with earlier versions.  Moreover, it is common for most
> 'swatantra' licenses to permit users / licencees to adopt later versions*.
> 
>  > ... The intention would be to keep the software as Free as
>  > possible.
> 
> Then, my vote is for GPL.
> 
> Most of OSI certified licenses do measure up to the GPL in terms of
> 'swatantrata' element in so far as modifications and redistribution is 
> concerned.  But, they do not preserve the 'greater public good' part 
> of the GPL.  At least some OSI approved licenses do not preserve the 
> right of access to modifications made by third parties. This can 
> result in loss of freedom. The BSD and MIT licenses are two best 
> examples.  Such licenses actually result in loss of 'swatantrata'
> aspect of the GPL - the best example is kerberos (I am not sure of the
> spelling)
> 
> For the purpose of the grant, you can consider a statement something
> like this:-
> 1. The contributions should be licensed under the GNU/GPL.
> 2. Copyright in the contributions will vest in the author.
> 3. SARAI will consider use of other OSI approved licenses, if the
> grantee/s is/are able to point out special and compelling reasons for 
> using a different license.
> 
> Regards,
> Mahesh T Pai.
> 
> 
> * digression:- is it not better that we Indians use 'swatantra'to mean
> 'free as in freedom'?  We need to adopt a term to be uniformly used in 
> Indian languages for 'free as in beer'.  Malayalam has 'soujanyam'. 
> Any suggestions from other languages? This rather important, for 
> ultimately, we will need to translate the GPL into Indian languages,
> for better understanding amongst the public, if for nothing else.  It
> is not better that *if possible*, we use uniform terminology in all
> Indian Languages?
> 
>