[boost] Re: License updates for 1.30.2

From: David Abrahams (dave_at_[hidden])
Date: 2003-09-18 11:54:15

Beman Dawes <bdawes_at_[hidden]> writes:

> At 05:43 PM 9/17/2003, David Abrahams wrote:
>  >> Changes to the license must be very rare and carefully considered. It
>  >> is really like a language standard - stability is necessary to get
>  >> developers on board.
>  >
>  >I still question the legality of licensing by reference to text which
>  >may change dynamically.  And it may have a chilling effect.  It's not
>  >just the authors who might be nervous, but the users as well.  If you
>  >were a corporate lawyer, would *you* OK the use of source code whose
>  >license might change at any time without notice?  I believe users must
>  >be allowed to continue to use the code under the *original* licensing
>  >terms they agreed to.
>
> Dave,
>
> The licensed can't change dynamically. That's a
> misunderstanding. Once a release is made, the license for that
> release is frozen for all time. That's already mentioned in the FAQ.
>
> Devin Smith commented "Note that Boost will not be able to
> retroactively change the terms applicable to a licensee who has
> received code under the terms of an older version of a license
> agreement.".

I talked to Devin a few minutes ago and he also indicated that Boost
can't change the license on any files without permission from the
author.

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