[boost] Re: License : Graph library incompatw/Boost (was incompatw/GPL)

From: David Abrahams (dave_at_[hidden])
Date: 2004-05-07 19:38:51

"Jon Kalb" <jonkalb_at_[hidden]> writes:

>> 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?
>> 
>> I guess if there's a chance we can relicense it under the 
>> Boost license, that'd solve things, but I'm not sure it's 
>> possible.  Can any of the copyright holders comment?
>
> Yes I'm alarmed about that.
>
> I looked at the graph library docs on the web site and they don't say
> anything at all about copyright or license (that I could find).
>
> I think we are (unintentionally) misleading people. People have a right
> to assume that any library that we have accepted has met the submission
> requirements which include the license requirements from
> http://boost.org/more/lib_guide.htm#License. We simply can't include a
> library that doesn't meet these requirements.
>
> I think we need to pull the graph library from the current release and
> put a note on the website explaining the situation until we get it
> resolved. I realize that this is a pretty drastic move, but I feel this
> situation calls Boost's integrity into question and that calls for swift
> and decisive action.

That's too drastic.

> How was this not caught during the review?

I'm not absolutely sure there's a problem.  It's clearly a matter of
interpretation, both of the BGL license and of the Boost requirements.
I'm discussing it with Andy.

-- 
Dave Abrahams
Boost Consulting
http://www.boost-consulting.com