[boost] Re: Draft of new Boost Software License

From: David Abrahams (dave_at_[hidden])
Date: 2003-06-25 20:47:45

Maciej Sobczak <maciej_at_[hidden]> writes:

> Let's imagine the following situation (it can apply to any developer
> on this planet): I write some code and want it to get public. It is
> outside of mainstream Boost interest, so I do not intend to submit it
> to Boost.
>
> Being concerned with the legal issues, I want to have a license text
> that is proven to be OK from the lawyers' viewpoint. 

That's a very fuzzy notion.  This license is only "proven to be OK"
relative to certain goals and notions of acceptable risk.  Those
parameters may not apply to you.

> Of course, a lot of people (Boosters and lawyers) have spent their
> time preparing and reviewing the Boost license and ensuring that it
> meets the high standards of today's open software.  Is it OK if I
> just copy-n-paste the Boost license into my own work? Is it OK if I
> use only part of it?  This can have many implications, including
> legal precedents - for example, when some of my users abuse the
> license or just asks me what he can do with the software, I can just
> point him to Boost pages, FAQs, etc. In other words, I may hide
> behind the curtains sewed by people who just never took me and my
> work into account. Is it OK if I do it?
> Short version:
> Is there any copyright on the Boost license text?
> What license protects the Boost license? :)

Ugh, meta-licensing.  I'm not sure about this.  I've Bcc'd the
lawyers to see what they say about this.

-- 
Dave Abrahams
Boost Consulting
www.boost-consulting.com