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Update license file to Lesser GPL v2.1

Peter S. Mazinger 19 years ago
parent
commit
751dd180c3
1 changed files with 117 additions and 94 deletions
  1. 117 94
      COPYING.LIB

+ 117 - 94
COPYING.LIB

@@ -1,13 +1,14 @@
-		  GNU LIBRARY GENERAL PUBLIC LICENSE
+		  GNU LESSER GENERAL PUBLIC LICENSE
-		       Version 2, June 1991
+		       Version 2.1, February 1999
 
 
- Copyright (C) 1991 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
+ Copyright (C) 1991, 1999 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
-                    675 Mass Ave, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
+     51 Franklin St, Fifth Floor, Boston, MA  02110-1301  USA
  Everyone is permitted to copy and distribute verbatim copies
  Everyone is permitted to copy and distribute verbatim copies
  of this license document, but changing it is not allowed.
  of this license document, but changing it is not allowed.
 
 
-[This is the first released version of the library GPL.  It is
+[This is the first released version of the Lesser GPL.  It also counts
- numbered 2 because it goes with version 2 of the ordinary GPL.]
+ as the successor of the GNU Library Public License, version 2, hence
+ the version number 2.1.]
 
 
 			    Preamble
 			    Preamble
 
 
@@ -16,97 +17,109 @@ freedom to share and change it.  By contrast, the GNU General Public
 Licenses are intended to guarantee your freedom to share and change
 Licenses are intended to guarantee your freedom to share and change
 free software--to make sure the software is free for all its users.
 free software--to make sure the software is free for all its users.
 
 
-  This license, the Library General Public License, applies to some
+  This license, the Lesser General Public License, applies to some
-specially designated Free Software Foundation software, and to any
+specially designated software packages--typically libraries--of the
-other libraries whose authors decide to use it.  You can use it for
+Free Software Foundation and other authors who decide to use it.  You
-your libraries, too.
+can use it too, but we suggest you first think carefully about whether
-
+this license or the ordinary General Public License is the better
-  When we speak of free software, we are referring to freedom, not
+strategy to use in any particular case, based on the explanations below.
-price.  Our General Public Licenses are designed to make sure that you
+
-have the freedom to distribute copies of free software (and charge for
+  When we speak of free software, we are referring to freedom of use,
-this service if you wish), that you receive source code or can get it
+not price.  Our General Public Licenses are designed to make sure that
-if you want it, that you can change the software or use pieces of it
+you have the freedom to distribute copies of free software (and charge
-in new free programs; and that you know you can do these things.
+for this service if you wish); that you receive source code or can get
+it if you want it; that you can change the software and use pieces of
+it in new free programs; and that you are informed that you can do
+these things.
 
 
   To protect your rights, we need to make restrictions that forbid
   To protect your rights, we need to make restrictions that forbid
-anyone to deny you these rights or to ask you to surrender the rights.
+distributors to deny you these rights or to ask you to surrender these
-These restrictions translate to certain responsibilities for you if
+rights.  These restrictions translate to certain responsibilities for
-you distribute copies of the library, or if you modify it.
+you if you distribute copies of the library or if you modify it.
 
 
   For example, if you distribute copies of the library, whether gratis
   For example, if you distribute copies of the library, whether gratis
 or for a fee, you must give the recipients all the rights that we gave
 or for a fee, you must give the recipients all the rights that we gave
 you.  You must make sure that they, too, receive or can get the source
 you.  You must make sure that they, too, receive or can get the source
-code.  If you link a program with the library, you must provide
+code.  If you link other code with the library, you must provide
-complete object files to the recipients so that they can relink them
+complete object files to the recipients, so that they can relink them
-with the library, after making changes to the library and recompiling
+with the library after making changes to the library and recompiling
 it.  And you must show them these terms so they know their rights.
 it.  And you must show them these terms so they know their rights.
 
 
-  Our method of protecting your rights has two steps: (1) copyright
+  We protect your rights with a two-step method: (1) we copyright the
-the library, and (2) offer you this license which gives you legal
+library, and (2) we offer you this license, which gives you legal
 permission to copy, distribute and/or modify the library.
 permission to copy, distribute and/or modify the library.
 
 
-  Also, for each distributor's protection, we want to make certain
+  To protect each distributor, we want to make it very clear that
-that everyone understands that there is no warranty for this free
+there is no warranty for the free library.  Also, if the library is
-library.  If the library is modified by someone else and passed on, we
+modified by someone else and passed on, the recipients should know
-want its recipients to know that what they have is not the original
+that what they have is not the original version, so that the original
-version, so that any problems introduced by others will not reflect on
+author's reputation will not be affected by problems that might be
-the original authors' reputations.
+introduced by others.
 
 
-  Finally, any free program is threatened constantly by software
+  Finally, software patents pose a constant threat to the existence of
-patents.  We wish to avoid the danger that companies distributing free
+any free program.  We wish to make sure that a company cannot
-software will individually obtain patent licenses, thus in effect
+effectively restrict the users of a free program by obtaining a
-transforming the program into proprietary software.  To prevent this,
+restrictive license from a patent holder.  Therefore, we insist that
-we have made it clear that any patent must be licensed for everyone's
+any patent license obtained for a version of the library must be
-free use or not licensed at all.
+consistent with the full freedom of use specified in this license.
-
+
-  Most GNU software, including some libraries, is covered by the ordinary
+  Most GNU software, including some libraries, is covered by the
-GNU General Public License, which was designed for utility programs.  This
+ordinary GNU General Public License.  This license, the GNU Lesser
-license, the GNU Library General Public License, applies to certain
+General Public License, applies to certain designated libraries, and
-designated libraries.  This license is quite different from the ordinary
+is quite different from the ordinary General Public License.  We use
-one; be sure to read it in full, and don't assume that anything in it is
+this license for certain libraries in order to permit linking those
-the same as in the ordinary license.
+libraries into non-free programs.
-
+
-  The reason we have a separate public license for some libraries is that
+  When a program is linked with a library, whether statically or using
-they blur the distinction we usually make between modifying or adding to a
+a shared library, the combination of the two is legally speaking a
-program and simply using it.  Linking a program with a library, without
+combined work, a derivative of the original library.  The ordinary
-changing the library, is in some sense simply using the library, and is
+General Public License therefore permits such linking only if the
-analogous to running a utility program or application program.  However, in
+entire combination fits its criteria of freedom.  The Lesser General
-a textual and legal sense, the linked executable is a combined work, a
+Public License permits more lax criteria for linking other code with
-derivative of the original library, and the ordinary General Public License
+the library.
-treats it as such.
+
-
+  We call this license the "Lesser" General Public License because it
-  Because of this blurred distinction, using the ordinary General
+does Less to protect the user's freedom than the ordinary General
-Public License for libraries did not effectively promote software
+Public License.  It also provides other free software developers Less
-sharing, because most developers did not use the libraries.  We
+of an advantage over competing non-free programs.  These disadvantages
-concluded that weaker conditions might promote sharing better.
+are the reason we use the ordinary General Public License for many
-
+libraries.  However, the Lesser license provides advantages in certain
-  However, unrestricted linking of non-free programs would deprive the
+special circumstances.
-users of those programs of all benefit from the free status of the
+
-libraries themselves.  This Library General Public License is intended to
+  For example, on rare occasions, there may be a special need to
-permit developers of non-free programs to use free libraries, while
+encourage the widest possible use of a certain library, so that it becomes
-preserving your freedom as a user of such programs to change the free
+a de-facto standard.  To achieve this, non-free programs must be
-libraries that are incorporated in them.  (We have not seen how to achieve
+allowed to use the library.  A more frequent case is that a free
-this as regards changes in header files, but we have achieved it as regards
+library does the same job as widely used non-free libraries.  In this
-changes in the actual functions of the Library.)  The hope is that this
+case, there is little to gain by limiting the free library to free
-will lead to faster development of free libraries.
+software only, so we use the Lesser General Public License.
+
+  In other cases, permission to use a particular library in non-free
+programs enables a greater number of people to use a large body of
+free software.  For example, permission to use the GNU C Library in
+non-free programs enables many more people to use the whole GNU
+operating system, as well as its variant, the GNU/Linux operating
+system.
+
+  Although the Lesser General Public License is Less protective of the
+users' freedom, it does ensure that the user of a program that is
+linked with the Library has the freedom and the wherewithal to run
+that program using a modified version of the Library.
 
 
   The precise terms and conditions for copying, distribution and
   The precise terms and conditions for copying, distribution and
 modification follow.  Pay close attention to the difference between a
 modification follow.  Pay close attention to the difference between a
 "work based on the library" and a "work that uses the library".  The
 "work based on the library" and a "work that uses the library".  The
-former contains code derived from the library, while the latter only
+former contains code derived from the library, whereas the latter must
-works together with the library.
+be combined with the library in order to run.
-
-  Note that it is possible for a library to be covered by the ordinary
-General Public License rather than by this special one.
 
 
-		  GNU LIBRARY GENERAL PUBLIC LICENSE
+		  GNU LESSER GENERAL PUBLIC LICENSE
    TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR COPYING, DISTRIBUTION AND MODIFICATION
    TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR COPYING, DISTRIBUTION AND MODIFICATION
 
 
-  0. This License Agreement applies to any software library which
+  0. This License Agreement applies to any software library or other
-contains a notice placed by the copyright holder or other authorized
+program which contains a notice placed by the copyright holder or
-party saying it may be distributed under the terms of this Library
+other authorized party saying it may be distributed under the terms of
-General Public License (also called "this License").  Each licensee is
+this Lesser General Public License (also called "this License").
-addressed as "you".
+Each licensee is addressed as "you".
 
 
   A "library" means a collection of software functions and/or data
   A "library" means a collection of software functions and/or data
 prepared so as to be conveniently linked with application programs
 prepared so as to be conveniently linked with application programs
@@ -255,7 +268,7 @@ distribute the object code for the work under the terms of Section 6.
 Any executables containing that work also fall under Section 6,
 Any executables containing that work also fall under Section 6,
 whether or not they are linked directly with the Library itself.
 whether or not they are linked directly with the Library itself.
 
 
-  6. As an exception to the Sections above, you may also compile or
+  6. As an exception to the Sections above, you may also combine or
 link a "work that uses the Library" with the Library to produce a
 link a "work that uses the Library" with the Library to produce a
 work containing portions of the Library, and distribute that work
 work containing portions of the Library, and distribute that work
 under terms of your choice, provided that the terms permit
 under terms of your choice, provided that the terms permit
@@ -282,23 +295,31 @@ of these things:
     Library will not necessarily be able to recompile the application
     Library will not necessarily be able to recompile the application
     to use the modified definitions.)
     to use the modified definitions.)
 
 
-    b) Accompany the work with a written offer, valid for at
+    b) Use a suitable shared library mechanism for linking with the
+    Library.  A suitable mechanism is one that (1) uses at run time a
+    copy of the library already present on the user's computer system,
+    rather than copying library functions into the executable, and (2)
+    will operate properly with a modified version of the library, if
+    the user installs one, as long as the modified version is
+    interface-compatible with the version that the work was made with.
+
+    c) Accompany the work with a written offer, valid for at
     least three years, to give the same user the materials
     least three years, to give the same user the materials
     specified in Subsection 6a, above, for a charge no more
     specified in Subsection 6a, above, for a charge no more
     than the cost of performing this distribution.
     than the cost of performing this distribution.
 
 
-    c) If distribution of the work is made by offering access to copy
+    d) If distribution of the work is made by offering access to copy
     from a designated place, offer equivalent access to copy the above
     from a designated place, offer equivalent access to copy the above
     specified materials from the same place.
     specified materials from the same place.
 
 
-    d) Verify that the user has already received a copy of these
+    e) Verify that the user has already received a copy of these
     materials or that you have already sent this user a copy.
     materials or that you have already sent this user a copy.
 
 
   For an executable, the required form of the "work that uses the
   For an executable, the required form of the "work that uses the
 Library" must include any data and utility programs needed for
 Library" must include any data and utility programs needed for
 reproducing the executable from it.  However, as a special exception,
 reproducing the executable from it.  However, as a special exception,
-the source code distributed need not include anything that is normally
+the materials to be distributed need not include anything that is
-distributed (in either source or binary form) with the major
+normally distributed (in either source or binary form) with the major
 components (compiler, kernel, and so on) of the operating system on
 components (compiler, kernel, and so on) of the operating system on
 which the executable runs, unless that component itself accompanies
 which the executable runs, unless that component itself accompanies
 the executable.
 the executable.
@@ -347,7 +368,7 @@ Library), the recipient automatically receives a license from the
 original licensor to copy, distribute, link with or modify the Library
 original licensor to copy, distribute, link with or modify the Library
 subject to these terms and conditions.  You may not impose any further
 subject to these terms and conditions.  You may not impose any further
 restrictions on the recipients' exercise of the rights granted herein.
 restrictions on the recipients' exercise of the rights granted herein.
-You are not responsible for enforcing compliance by third parties to
+You are not responsible for enforcing compliance by third parties with
 this License.
 this License.
 
 
   11. If, as a consequence of a court judgment or allegation of patent
   11. If, as a consequence of a court judgment or allegation of patent
@@ -390,7 +411,7 @@ excluded.  In such case, this License incorporates the limitation as if
 written in the body of this License.
 written in the body of this License.
 
 
   13. The Free Software Foundation may publish revised and/or new
   13. The Free Software Foundation may publish revised and/or new
-versions of the Library General Public License from time to time.
+versions of the Lesser General Public License from time to time.
 Such new versions will be similar in spirit to the present version,
 Such new versions will be similar in spirit to the present version,
 but may differ in detail to address new problems or concerns.
 but may differ in detail to address new problems or concerns.
 
 
@@ -436,7 +457,7 @@ DAMAGES.
 
 
 		     END OF TERMS AND CONDITIONS
 		     END OF TERMS AND CONDITIONS
 
 
-     Appendix: How to Apply These Terms to Your New Libraries
+           How to Apply These Terms to Your New Libraries
 
 
   If you develop a new library, and you want it to be of the greatest
   If you develop a new library, and you want it to be of the greatest
 possible use to the public, we recommend making it free software that
 possible use to the public, we recommend making it free software that
@@ -453,18 +474,18 @@ convey the exclusion of warranty; and each file should have at least the
     Copyright (C) <year>  <name of author>
     Copyright (C) <year>  <name of author>
 
 
     This library is free software; you can redistribute it and/or
     This library is free software; you can redistribute it and/or
-    modify it under the terms of the GNU Library General Public
+    modify it under the terms of the GNU Lesser General Public
     License as published by the Free Software Foundation; either
     License as published by the Free Software Foundation; either
-    version 2 of the License, or (at your option) any later version.
+    version 2.1 of the License, or (at your option) any later version.
 
 
     This library is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
     This library is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
     but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
     but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
     MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the GNU
     MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the GNU
-    Library General Public License for more details.
+    Lesser General Public License for more details.
 
 
-    You should have received a copy of the GNU Library General Public
+    You should have received a copy of the GNU Lesser General Public
-    License along with this library; if not, write to the Free
+    License along with this library; if not, write to the Free Software
-    Software Foundation, Inc., 675 Mass Ave, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA.
+    Foundation, Inc., 51 Franklin St, Fifth Floor, Boston, MA  02110-1301  USA
 
 
 Also add information on how to contact you by electronic and paper mail.
 Also add information on how to contact you by electronic and paper mail.
 
 
@@ -479,3 +500,5 @@ necessary.  Here is a sample; alter the names:
   Ty Coon, President of Vice
   Ty Coon, President of Vice
 
 
 That's all there is to it!
 That's all there is to it!
+
+