Re: [boost] Question about boost license

Subject: Re: [boost] Question about boost license
From: Paul A. Bristow (pbristow_at_[hidden])
Date: 2010-07-27 05:27:46

> -----Original Message-----
> From: boost-bounces_at_[hidden] [mailto:boost-bounces_at_[hidden]] On Behalf Of Kim Barrett
> Sent: Monday, July 26, 2010 9:54 PM
> To: boost_at_[hidden]
> Subject: Re: [boost] Question about boost license
> 
> 
> On Jul 26, 2010, at 4:28 PM, Henrik Sundberg wrote:
> 
> > On Mon, Jul 26, 2010 at 7:06 PM, Marc Elias <melias77_at_[hidden]> wrote:
> >> You also inform in the webpage that some libraries are under their own licenses. I would like to know, if it's
possible, which libraries
> are under particular licenses and which are these specific licenses.
> >> Is it possible to have this information?
> >
> > I don't know, but
> > https://svn.boost.org/trac/boost/wiki/Guidelines/Requirements#License
> > specifies the license requirements.
> >
> > Is there any library in Boost with a license that does not conform to
> > the requirements?

> The inspection report includes possible license issues.  See http://boost.cowic.de/rc/inspect-trunk.html, particularly
the files marked with
> "*Lic*".
> 
> I just did a quick scan and only found a few problems that are not either documentation (often generated files),
tools, examples, or unit
> tests (the latter two should probably be licensed properly since they are a likely source for copying by users, but
often aren't properly
> licensed).  Absolutely no warranty that this list is complete.
> 
> boost/range/adaptor/define_adaptor.hpp: *C*, *Lic*
> boost/range/combine.hpp: *C*, *Lic*
> boost/range/counting_range.hpp: *Lic*
> boost/range/istream_range.hpp: *Lic*
> boost/test/utils/runtime/cla/detail/argument_value_usage.hpp: *Lic*
> boost/strong_typedef.hpp: *C*, *Lic*
> boost/shared_container_iterator.hpp: *Lic*

These all look like simple omissions on recently added files (in trunk - so not in a release).

If you are really concerned, you could submit a Trac item to nag the author.

Since Boosters have made a considerable effort to ensure all files are Boost licensed and have an author claiming
copyright, I suggest that you can reasonably claim that ALL Boost files are Boost licensed. 

(No legal department is going to be able to disprove your claim unless they have access to some fancy tools - or can
read the inspect-trunk.html ;-)

So the short answer to the original question is "No".

Paul

PS But should we now change the https://svn.boost.org/trac/boost/wiki/Guidelines/Requirements#License text?

---
Paul A. Bristow
Prizet Farmhouse
Kendal, UK   LA8 8AB
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pbristow_at_[hidden]