Re: Signed-off-by and aliases

[Richard Fontana <rfontana@redhat.com>]

On Mon, May 19, 2014 at 08:27:54AM -0700, Koleos Fuskus wrote:
> Please notice that the complete alias is "koleosfuscus" with "c" and not "k"
> and I include a space when the forms ask me for name and family name. Anyway, I
> would like to receive advice on this topic. It may be convenient for me to do
> contributions using my real name. I am not aware of the copyright problems that
> I may have for using alias. 

I can't provide you with advice on this, but my recommendation to the
Ceph project maintainers is that real names be required as part of the
Signed-off-by.

Use of an alias does not affect your ability to obtain copyright. One
concern is that if you remain entirely anonymous and it becomes
necessary to contact you in the future for some reason relating either
to the license you are granting or the code you are providing, it may
become relatively difficult to do so. How much this would actually
matter is unclear (it might depend on how substantial your
contributions are).

Another concern I have is a policy issue somewhat external to Ceph. I
am currently attempting with some others to convince OpenStack to
switch from a CLA to a DCO contribution system and have specifically
pointed to Ceph as an example of a successful DCO-using project, well
known to OpenStack participants. I am concerned about possible FUD
from CLA advocates should it be discovered that Ceph accepts
pseudonymic contributions under the DCO. (This even though I realize a
CLA could itself be signed pseudonymously.)

 - Richard


















> 
> Best,
> 
> koleos
> 
> 
> On Monday, May 19, 2014 5:19 PM, Loic Dachary <loic@dachary.org> wrote:
> 
> 
> Hi Richard,
> 
> It was nice seeing you at the OpenStack summit. Do not hesitate to redirect if
> this question is best answered by someone else at RedHat. As most of us I'm
> still unsure who at RedHat has time to devote to Ceph ;-)
> 
> Koleos Fuskus <koleosfuscus@yahoo.com> would like to contribute code under an
> alias (this is not its real name). If I understand correctly, copyright (both
> in software and litterary works) allows authors to use aliases. Does RedHat
> have a position on this ?
> 
> Cheers
> 
> --
> Lo c Dachary, Artisan Logiciel Libre
> 
>