Re: [PATCH rdma-core] Improve global COPYING files

[Doug Ledford <dledford-H+wXaHxf7aLQT0dZR+AlfA@public.gmane.org>]

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On 9/23/16 1:48 PM, Jason Gunthorpe wrote:
> On Fri, Sep 23, 2016 at 05:23:29PM +0000, Hefty, Sean wrote:
> 
>> If this combined repo is intended to support the plumbing for the
>> linux-rdma subsystem, then I think it must support code that is
>> submitted under GPL only.
> 
> Hum, I don't think that follows.
> 
> My expectation in the kernel is that the entire RDMA subystem and
> drivers follows the overall licensing model of the kernel and does not
> require userspace to follow any specific license, and certainly does
> not require userspace to follow the GPLv2.
> 
>> Much of the tradition code can remain dual-license, but new provider
>> code, for example, should be submit-able under GPL.
> 
> I do not support that recommendation.
> 
> The FSF has made very clear their position on GPL licensing of plugins
> (see https://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-faq.en.html), and allowing a
> GPLv2 only plugin or library code would break our community's promise
> to our customers - that the library core is usable in any application.
> 
> It would be a complicated discussion if someone proposed a GPLv2 only
> provider.
> 
> A LGPLv2-only provider would be more acceptable, and I would encourage
> anyone who wishes to have the protections of the GPLv2 in their
> provider to go that route. I suspect it would still be controversial.
> 
> I would prefer to see us continue with the dual license approach, and
> obviously all OFA member companies have agreed to do that.

I agree with Jason here.  Dual license or at least LGPL is needed on
providers because they will be linked to by other programs.  Libraries
shouldn't taint user programs.  But we do have some leaf code in the
overall rdma-core repo.  Things like iwpmd and ibacm.  These could be
licensed GPL only and still be OK.  So I think it's OK for the repo to
support GPL only, we just have to be clear about the fact that GPL only
is not the default as this repo is more about libraries than leaf utilities.


-- 
Doug Ledford <dledford-H+wXaHxf7aLQT0dZR+AlfA@public.gmane.org>    GPG Key ID: 0E572FDD
  Red Hat, Inc.
  100 E. Davie St
  Raleigh, NC 27601 USA


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