[boost] Re: License Conversion Update: Graph library incompatw/GPL

From: Alexander Terekhov (terekhov_at_[hidden])
Date: 2004-05-07 15:03:38

David Abrahams wrote:
[...]
> Maybe this is all a distraction.  I think it may be a much bigger
> problem that the graph library's license, IIUC, seems to be
> incompatible with the Boost license requirements.  Isn't anyone a
> little alarmed about that?

Relax license requirements. There's nothing wrong with lawful
reciprocal licenses. No one seem to have any problems with 
Eclipse (with respect to reciprocation). BTW, apropos Boost 
License: fix it by adding explicit copyright permission to 
distribute (not only "prepare") derivative works and say 
something about patent claims licensable by contributor which 
are necessarily infringed by the use or sale of its 
contributions. For those who don't like to follow the links:

---
Altai has been viewed as a landmark decision as it incorporates 
many traditional principles of copyright law into a single 
analytical framework seemingly suitable for computer software. 
However, when honestly applied, the abstraction-filtration-
comparison test eliminates protection for computer programs by 
entirely filtering out not only the individual elements of 
computer programs such as software objects but also the 
compilation of selection and arrangement expression that is the 
program's structure, since both are designed with efficiency in 
mind. 
[...]
It is more appropriate to consider the software objects of a 
computer program as analogous to the gears, pulleys, and levers 
of a mechanical invention, as by its very nature, the design of 
computer software is intended to optimize functionality by 
making a program run faster, use less memory, or be easier for 
the programmer to modify. When viewed as a collection of 
software objects combined in such a way as to optimally perform 
various tasks, the design of computer software closely 
resembles the design of functional devices protected by patent 
law rather than the non-functional, non-literal elements of 
creative authorial works protected under copyright law.
--- 
regards,
alexander.